Maria

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Hello! My name is Maria and I am in New Zealand for a year on a working holiday visa. I am very passionate about the outdoors and animals of all sizes and species. I am enjoying exploring both the North and South Islands and would love the opportunity to contribute my labor and skills to an animal sanctuary or family farm that prioritizes the health of its animals.

I grew up on a small farm in the Midwest United States, but for the past five years I have worked in book publishing in New York City, while dog sitting, fostering rabbits, and volunteering at an animal rescue in my spare time. I'm excited to reconnect with my outdoorsy, adventurous core, and make the care and well-being of animals my full focus, while connecting with people who share that passion.

Interests

Culture

Politics / Social justice

History

Sustainability

Writing

Vegetarian or vegan

Pets

Outdoor activities

Nature

Hiking

LGBTQ

Camping

Books

Animals

Adventure sports

Languages spoken

English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

Some knowledge of:  

Art Projects

DIY and building projects

Hospitality/Tourism

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Life at a Farmstay

General Maintenance

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Able to teach about:  

Animal Care

More details about your skills

-farm animal care (from ages 8 to 18, lived with horses, goats and chickens, entailing daily outdoor labor in all weather)
-horseback riding/horsemanship (over 10 years of riding and horse care. Comfortable with horses of various temperaments, and would love to grow my horsemanship skills)
-extensive dog/cat sitting, dog walking, and fostering domestic rabbits
-4 years of weekly volunteering at an no-kill animal shelter that specifically rescues high-need dogs and cats from backgrounds of abuse/neglect/injury
-experience administering medications/caring for sick animals (both farm animals and house pets)
-many years of hiking, backpacking, and camping
-four year college degree in English literature and sociology
-5 years of editing, writing, communications, and admin experience working in book publishing at a literary agency
-customer service/hospitality experience through restaurant jobs as a teenager
-have volunteer experience at a wildlife rehabilitation center that cared for raptors, songbirds, bats, small mammals, turtles and snakes. There is truly no animal I'm not excited care for!

Age

28

What else ...

I love playing card games/board games and enjoy reading, writing, birdwatching, and going for trail runs. I'm good at working independently and being alone, but I also really like connecting with other people. And while I have animal experience, I know there is still so much I can learn. I believe in being transparent about what I don't know, and I'm always eager to learn new ways of doing things.

While I would be coming primarily to do physical work, I can also contribute my writing and editing skills if ever useful.

I have my own car.

Some more information

• 

  Smoker

• 

  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  no

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  Special dietary requirements
  vegetarian (can easily eat vegan)