Bacon’s Acres is looking forward to a fun, low stress 2023-2024 season. We are seeking a dog-lover(s) to help out with the team and property starting Aug 26th. Details negotiable depending on the person / people / situation / experience.
Minimal requirements:
1. Puppy and Dog-loving. Our dogs are social & affectionate. They will brighten your every day.
2. Willing to help provide high quality care for our dogs. No experience necessary; however, must be willing to learn and follow instructions. You will need to know &/or learn about feeding, nutrition, caring for injuries, safety, etc. Must be able to ask important questions.
3. Safety first. We always try to avoid emergencies; however, you must be able to handle emergency situations, which could include reaching out to emergency contacts for support, fire evacuation and vet visits.
4. A good fit for the property / environment - 38 acres of rural, un-zoned land that is open to possibilities. Currently, there are raised beds for vegetables, perennial/rock garden, compost area, pond with kayak, paddle board and hanging pod, dog yard, winter and fall trails directly from the property, etc.
5. Good communicator. Honest. Reliable. Respectful of other’s personal space and things.
6. Helpful. Handy with repairs. Some work may be labor-intensive.
7. Current driver’s license, vehicle insurance and vehicle required. Vehicle not provided.
8. Self-motivated & self-entertaining
9. Can tolerate working in inclement weather: cold, snow, rain, wind, etc
10. Is good at problem-solving and can make decisions based on common sense
** This is an opportunity to learn and train with an experienced, manageable team. As well as be a part of building a future team through leader training and harness breaking puppies. **
—> OPTIONS <—
FULL-TIME HANDLER (A full-time position will be considered for a self-motivated, very reliable person with solid dog care skills)
—> live in dry handler cabin with loft, stipend of $500-800/mo depending on your experience
—> Wood and some propane provided for heating
—> Electric paid
—> Electricity and Wi-Fi are available in your cabin. If you need unlimited Wi-Fi, it’s $50 per month.
—> There is a propane Rinnai heater and propane cooking stove/oven.
—> responsible for helping to care for dogs (with mentoring and instruction provided) as much as requested / needed
—> responsible for typical handler duties (see list on www)
—> This is a 24/7 job, but you are able to have days and/or weeks off when I am scheduled to be home
—> responsible for helping with general property maintenance (checking on the main cabin in my absence, shoveling/snow blowing, possible dog errands, watering plants, maintaining trails, trimming trees, taking trash to dumpster, organizing, property improvements, etc)
—> Currently, we do not plan to be training for major races (i.e. Iditarod) this winter, but we will run dogs, train puppies, camp, explore old and new trails, teach friends & junior mushers to run dogs, incorporate adapted mushing, participate in fun runs, go on adventures, potentially do a few tours, etc.
—> Running spring mid-distance spring races is an option with the right handler.
—> We are involved with the Aurora Dog Mushers Club. We hope to help plan several races this season. We hope to have races for adults, juniors and beginners. Currently, we are organizing dryland races for this fall: canicross, bikejoring, carting, scootering, etc.
—> We will be training some young leaders
—> We will be harness breaking and training 6 puppies
—> We will be training all the adult dogs that are willing and able (30 dogs in total)
—> This year we will have our kennel inspection to maintain our kennel mushing license for the borough, so we are working on being more organized and prepared for the inspection.
—> This is an excellent opportunity to live the mushing lifestyle without the pressure of training for races; however, racing is a possibility if our new handler is proficient at training dogs.
—> I travel for work commitments 2-6 days at time. I travel for fun, as well as visiting friends and family. I could be gone 1-2 weeks at a time. You must feel confident and competent being home alone with the dogs with local contacts for support, as well as being in regular contact with me.
—> MUST be home overnight when I am out of town. Advanced notice of my absences will be provided and documented on a shared calendar.
2. PART-TIME HANDLER —- NOT currently an option for 2023-2024 season
—> live in handler cabin rent-free
—> no stipend, but it’s possible to earn extra income through additional chores past 20 hours per week. Hourly wage negotiable depending on experience and task.
—> electricity and Wi-Fi available in your cabin. If you need unlimited Wi-Fi, it’s $50 per month.
—> wood provided for heating
—> you buy your own propane beyond what is provided when you arrive
—> able to have another part-time job &/or travel intermittently
—> responsible for helping to care for dogs (with mentoring and instruction provided)
—> MUST be home overnight when I am out of town. Advanced notice will be provided and documented on a shared calendar.
—> responsible for typical handler duties on a part-time basis, and as required to properly care for the dogs while I am out of town (at least 20 hours per week). Open to discussion for hourly pay, if you are willing and able to work more than 20 hours per week.
—> flexible work hours (20 hours per week, not including sleep/overnight). This is not a 9-5 job, but comes with a lot of flexibility and opportunity.
—> responsible for helping with general property maintenance, as needed (for example: checking on main cabin in my absence, shoveling/snow blowing, possible dog errands, watering plants, trimming trees, taking trash to dumpster, assisting with property improvements, etc)
—> We will not be training for distance races, so running dogs as a part-time handler is for fun, not a requirement or part of your working hours per week. I will be running / training dogs and harness-breaking puppies. You are always welcome to join, if you want to learn.
—> This is an excellent opportunity to experience the mushing lifestyle without the pressure of training for races. You can have the flexibility to take classes, volunteer for distance races, work a part-time job or travel when I’m home.
Handler Cabin Details:
Dry cabin (no running water) with an outhouse
Basic Wi-Fi access in your cabin
Cold water spigot available outside main cabin
Propane and/or wood heated
Has a propane oven/stove, microwave and small fridge/freezer. There is a chest freezer on your cabin porch.
There are shelves, a mattress, futon, recliner, table, a desk with office chair, lights, clothing rod, hangers in the cabin, crate for dog care when needed, etc
There is basic cookware
I have a shower and washing machine which you are free to use when I’m not home… or in other more urgent situations
There are a couple laundry / shower facilities in Big Lake (about 3-4 miles away). There is also a 3 Bears grocery store, post office, 5+ places to eat or pick up food, library, skating rink, large lake, fire station, etc in Big Lake. Wasilla is 20-30 minutes away, which has most necessary stores, restaurants and services. Anchorage is 90 minutes away with an international airport.
** Please contact Kristin at baconsacres@mtaonline.net, private FB message or call: 907-230-0402, if any of these options sound like a good fit for the next chapter of your life.
Also, check out our Bacon’s Acres’ Facebook page to see more photos of our daily life.