from 1,563€

Perfect 4.6rating (57)

Huskies Caretaker & Dog Sled Assistant

location
4 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Perfect 4.6  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Experience plenty of dogsledding trips!
  • Guiding trips, train the huskies and work directly with the dogs!
  • Experience the remote life in British Columbia!
  • Feed, groom and walk the dogs!
  • Meet volunteers from all over the world!

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

Take this great opportunity to volunteer at one of our husky ranches throughout Canada! Your main tasks will involve working directly with the dogs.

When volunteering for more then 4 weeks you will require a working holiday visa as this program is not with a registered charity! 
Your tasks will involve plenty of dogsledding trips where you will help guiding trips and train the huskies as well as working directly with the dogs.
Take this great ...

About the program

When volunteering for more then 4 weeks you will require a working holiday visa as this program is not with a registered charity! 
Your tasks will involve plenty of dogsledding trips where you will help guiding trips and train the huskies as well as working directly with the dogs.
Take this great opportunity to volunteer at one of our husky ranches throughout Canada! 

Did you ever want to explore the world of dog sledding and the unique way of living the ‘bush life’? You will be placed at on of our ranches located in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario or the Yukon. All our ranches are located located deep in the interior of one these provinces and are far away from any town. These ranches are looking for volunteers year round! The work and tasks for all the projects are in general similar the main difference being the location of the ranch which will be chosen based on availability and your preferred location. The work with the huskies and on the ranch is physically demanding and it is by no means an’ easy holiday option’! All accommodations are very back to basic and are for those who like to "rough it up" in the outdoors. The minimum duration of stay is 4 weeks with a maximum duration of 12 weeks. Please consider that you will be surrounded by nature & wildlife (no bars and shopping malls here) this for the real outdoor lover who wants a real Canadian experience!



****** FOR YOUR APPLICATION TEXTS ******

Please reply to the following questions in your application text:

  1. Please describe your experience with dogs. 
  2. In a nutshell, provide a brief description of your previous experience. 
  3. Have you had experience living remotely or in tight quarters with very few people for long periods of time? 
  4. If you’ve not experienced #4, how do you think you will handle the living arrangements here based upon your personality or on past experiences? 
  5. Are you prepared to live remotely? What is your expectation of this lifestyle? 
  6. Are you applying to other kennels? What are your priorities when looking for a kennel with which to work? 
  7. If you didn’t want this position what would you likely be doing instead? 
  8. With other supervisors you’ve had in the past, what behaviors worked for you and what didn’t? 
  9. How best do you learn? 
  10. How do you reenergize? Are you an introvert or an extrovert? If an introvert, are you able to be talkative and educate when needed? 
  11. Are you mechanically inclined?
  12. Do you have the ability to be assertive, consistent and firm, yet fair, with a stubborn 80# sled dog? Can you do the same with a kennel of sled dogs on a daily basis? 
  13. Have you skied? What is your level of athleticism? 1
  14. Do you have the ability to withstand the cold? 
  15. Are you prepared to purchase potentially expensive cold weather gear if you do not already have the appropriate winter gear? 
  16. If you have worked at another sled dog kennel in the past, you could find our organization to have a different set up and likely a different philosophy and way of doing things. Are you easily able to adapt to new ways of doing things? 
  17. Are you able to follow detailed instructions and retain a large amount of information? 
  18. Why have you chosen to apply for an internship position with us specifically versus another kennel? 
  19. Be aware that, at times, we will not often venture into town but for a resupply of groceries. How will you handle the isolation? 
  20. This position involves a high level of physical and mental demands. Do you have the ability to meet these requirements? 
  21. Please describe your experience and comfort working with individuals of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. 
  22. How have you supported diversity, inclusion and equity in past roles? 
  23. The person in this role must have the capacity to create an atmosphere where people feel supported and part of a cohesive team. What steps would you take to help create this atmosphere? 
  24. Some level of disagreement and compromise is inherent in this type of environment. In your experience, what is the most effective way to resolve conflict in a diverse environment? 
  25. We have implemented safety measures and follow state and local guidelines around the COVID pandemic. 
  • How would you assist in implementing and following safety measures? 
  • To your knowledge, when should an employee wear a face mask at work? 
  • What are the guidelines around social distancing at work?

Typical day

Volunteers are very important for the organization and will be involved with many aspects of running a dog sledding kennel.  Volunteering work at the different ranches all involves caring for the dogs and running dog sledding trips.
  • Feed, groom and walk the dogs
  • Helping with maintenance around the ...

Typical day

Volunteers are very important for the organization and will be involved with many aspects of running a dog sledding kennel.  Volunteering work at the different ranches all involves caring for the dogs and running dog sledding trips.
  • Feed, groom and walk the dogs
  • Helping with maintenance around the ranch
  • Dogsledding and snowmobiling
  • Clearing and preparing the dogsled tracks
  • Cleaning, cooking and other household chores
Keep in mind that volunteering at a the ranch er can be very intense due to the weather conditions.

Free-time activities

During your days off, volunteers can enjoy a number of activities: hiking, wildlife watching, skiing/snowboarding, biking, rafting, kayaking and many more. However, these activities will be covered by the volunteers own expense.

Free-time activities

During your days off, volunteers can enjoy a number of activities: hiking, wildlife watching, skiing/snowboarding, biking, rafting, kayaking and many more. However, these activities will be covered by the volunteers own expense.


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (intermediate level)

Required Documents

CV, Resume, Letter of Motivation, Two pics and Signed Policies and Liability form (provided during application process)

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 07:00 - 17:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Fronteering Travel

The fees includes:
  • Accommodation: Shared room
  • Meals: 3 meals a day included
  • Airport pick up Service & Transfer to the project: We will be waiting for you at the airport and transfer you to your hostel or directly to the project.
  • Mail-holding service: You can use FRONTEERINGS office as a reliable address to have your mail delivered
  • Ongoing service and 24/7 Emergency Contact

Airport Pickup at Castlegar Airport

We will be waiting for you at the airport and transfer you to your hostel or directly to the project.

Accommodation

Your accommodation will vary depending on the husky ranch you have been placed at you will either share accommodation with other volunteers in a cabin/trailer or live in the ranch house as part of the family.

Food & Beverages

Food is provided for all the husky ranches. In some cases you will have to be involved in cooking the food and helping to buy groceries.

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Castlegar Airport (YCG) in Castlegar. We assist you to find cheap flights to Canada. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Canada provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Canada you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Canada. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

There are no specific start/arrival dates for this project, however, we recommend that you arrive on a Monday.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

4 weeks (min. stay) 1,563€
6 weeks 1,759€
8 weeks 1,955€
10 weeks 2,249€
12 weeks (max. stay) 2,445€
Average fees 297€/week

Program fees

297€ per week 4 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

4 - 12 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Fronteering Travel during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Fronteering Travel

Perfect 4.6 rating (57 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2010

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Patrick

Spoken languages: German, English, Dutch

About the project

Fronteering arranges volunteering programs related to wildlife and indigenous people in less visited places of this world as well as more unique destinations.

Meet your organization

Fronteering arranges volunteering programs in some of the last frontiers of this world as well as more unique locations that other organizations ignore. From Field research programs in the Far north of Canada and Husky ranches in the Canadian Arctic to Amerindian community programs and wildlife conservation in the Amazon Rainforest and everything in between.

Most of our programs Focus on either wildlife rehabilitation and release, wildlife conservation & research or involve local indigenous communities.

Fronteering currently offers programs in Canada, Guyana, USA, Australia, Brazil, Borneo, South Africa, Madagascar and Panama.

True good causes: FRONTEERINGS volunteer abroad projects are either existing local projects or projects that are build from the group up by FRONTEERING. What these projects have in common is that you will be supporting a true good cause! You will have the opportunity to help where the need is the greatest. Our projects focus on helping the local communities, wildlife, indigenous people and the environment in cooperation with the local/indigenous communities. We focus on true volunteer projects where your effort really makes a difference. That’s why through Fronteering you will rehabilitate injured & orphaned wildlife with the goal to release the animal. That is the reason why will not send you to some far southern country to cuddle with tame lions & tigers with any real purpose. If you want to volunteer abroad with a real purpose, contact us!

Safety: At FRONTEERING we do our outmost best to provide the safety measures needed for our Volunteer Abroad projects and Adventure Travel Trips. However due to the fact that many of our projects and trips involve wild animals and/or are in remote locations there is a small element of risk involved. Not all of our projects and trips are for the faint at heart however we do cater to those of all walks of life. If you are not too sure about the suitability of a Volunteer Abroad project or an Adventure Travel trip then feel free to ask as we are always ready to answer any questions or discuss any doubts that come to mind. For more information please check our Safety & In-country Support section before you volunteer abroad.

A real adventure: We do not want our volunteers to end up trying to safe or clean up some small patch of rainforest which in some places they might call a wilderness. Instead you will volunteer in the immense jungle of the Amazon rainforest or venture in to the vast Canadian wilderness! Our volunteer abroad projects are situated in the remote areas of the world and we focus on countries and regions with the lowest population densities. We at FRONTEERING focus on what works; from sleeping in the jungle underneath the stars with nothing more than your own private hammock to back-to-basic cabins in the northern tundra with a cozy smothering fireplace and no electricity! When you volunteer abroad with FRONTEERING you can be sure it will be adventure.

Off the beaten path: With FRONTEERING volunteer abroad projects you will venture to places less visited. We focus on places that are fairly undiscovered where the nature, wildlife and indigenous cultures are still common. You will have the great opportunity to see these amazing places while they are still unspoiled and pure. It is these places where there is the most to lose but even more to gain through successful conservation work and sustainable tourism. 

Community involvement: Foremost when volunteering abroad the well being of the community should come first. For all of our trips we use local guides, local transportation and local communities so that through sustainable tourism we can help to protect the environment, wildlife and sustain the way of life of indigenous cultures & communities. More and more and governments choose the long term benefit of sustainable tourism over the short term gain of mining and logging. A good example is Gabon which in 2002 after recommendations from environmental researchers set up 13 new national parks. The government of Guyana is currently considering protecting its entire rainforest region which still covers 80% of the country. Hopefully through our combined effort this dream will one day become true.

Mission
FRONTEERING specializes in organizing volunteer abroad projects to preserve the environment, wildlife and indigenous people throughout the world while giving the volunteers a real and raw experience in some of the most beautiful and often remote places in the world to make a true difference.

Vision
FRONTEERING strives to provide real off the beaten path volunteer abroad experiences worldwide that satisfy the need for volunteer projects that truly makes a difference for the environment, wildlife and indigenous people.


57 reviews · rating4.6

I joined the husky ranch program of Fronteering earlier this year. I arrived early March which was towards the end of the winter season of course but it still got a good 6 weeks of dogsledding in which was great. I stayed a total of 10 weeks so the last 4 weeks we started working more towards ...
It's nearly six months ago since I left the Canadian bush. I stayed at a Canadian Husky ranch in BC over Spring so there was no dogsledding but it was still a great experience. I Learned and saw so many new things. The wildlife is really great and I discovered almost every day a new animal. Here ...
Deirdre Conroy rating4.2

2024 at Pantanal Wildlife Research

My experience on this volunteer program was excellent due to the hard work and planning by my host Alexine. She is a fund of knowledge and is dedicated to her project (Peccary Project, see also on Instagram, peccary_queixada_project). I also worked with an amazing team working with the giant ant ...
Cindy Lamaha rating5

2023 at Exotic Wildlife Caretaker Assistant

Dear future volunteer, The Hawaii sanctuary is not just a project where you will be taught about all the different kinds of animals and their behaviors, you will also learn a lot about humans, about yourself and you will learn how to feel home at a place that is not your own. If you thinking about ...
Jasmine McPherson rating5

2023 at Exotic & Domestic Animal Caretaker

This sanctuary is an absolute amazing place, I'm glad I stayed. They provided a good place to stay and I learnt a lot while with them. They let me experience different situations while with them. Definitely recommend for any volunteer. ..
Liliane Zistl rating5

2023 at Exotic & Domestic Animal Caretaker

I really enjoyed my stay at this program. I had the chance to work with different animals that I woudn't have gotten otherwise. The people there are very kinde and courteouse. Because the work is not always the simplest, they give you the weekend of with the possability to go to Saint Pete or Tampa. ..

Location


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Contact Patrick
  Very high response rate
German, English, Dutch

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