Why Guatemala?
Dear Doglando Member,
For years I have been traveling the world going to developing countries to learn from the domesticated dog itself... street dogs, free-roaming dogs, and village dogs.
I recently got back from a trip to Guatemala. I knew that place was going to be incredibly special...
I didn’t have any particular reason that I wanted to visit Guatemala. When I was saying aloud the names of the countries I was interested in going to, something about Guatemala vibrated my soul.
My family and I spent 7 days in Panajachel, a town in the southwestern Guatemalan Highlands, 90 miles from Guatemala City, in Sololá.
There were so many great things about this trip, that I don’t ordinarily get to experience as part of my travel when I am there solely for the purpose of following dogs for long hours each day.
Of course, that’s super fun too!
This region has so many villages all around Lake Atitlán, in the Sierra Madre mountain range.
The best part is the ease of travel!
The local villagers are super friendly, food is delicious, and you can even drink the tap water... although there is filtered water available everywhere.
The street dog population is prolific. It’s a great place to pick a spot and sit down for the day and watch all sorts of dog-to-dog interactions and dog-to-human interactions.
Of course, following them is so much fun and you get to really feel and experience firsthand, the number one need of a dog: movement!
Why a Street Dog Retreat?
I’ve been documenting street dogs, village dogs and free-roaming dogs for almost two decades now. Those who have followed my work for any length of time, know its influence on our work at Doglando.
In order for us to cumulatively transform in dog care, dog “ownership” / dog “parenting,” dog training practices, rescue work, breeding... all of it... we must turn to the true domestic dog.
I want to share this wonderful once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with you, and invite you to join our team - and of course. Nim, Naylan, and myself in February, 2020.
I believe that you will leave with a new perspective on what it means to be caring for a dog.
You will redefine so many terms you use in your everyday language, such as:
- love
- care
- exercise
- food
- needs
- movement
- aggression
- anxiety
- fear
- socialization
- training
- exposure
- pack
- groups
- friendly
- unsocial
- relationship
- purpose
- motivation
- positive reinforcement
and the list goes on...
Why a Street Dog Retreat?
I have been documenting street dogs, village dogs, and free-roaming dogs for almost two decades now. Those who have followed my work for any length of time, know its influence on our work at Doglando.
In order for us to cumulatively transform in dog care:
- dog “ownership” / “parenting”
- dog training practices
- rescue work
- breeding
- ...all of it!
We must turn to the true domestic dog.
I want to share this wonderful once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with you, and invite you to join our team - and of course - Nim, Naylan, and I, in November, 2020.
I believe that you will leave with a new perspective on what it means to be caring for a dog.
You will redefine so many terms you use in your everyday language, such as:
- love
- care
- exercise
- food
- needs
- movement
- aggression
- anxiety
- fear
- socialization
- training
- exposure
- pack
- groups
- friendly
- unsocial
- relationship
- purpose
- motivation
- positive reinforcement
and the list goes on...
We know you will appreciate this rich learning experience so much!
To make an impact in the world of dogs it’s going to take all of us.
Maybe not all at once... but the influence of a small group of like-minded, passionate, open-minded, curious, and accepting people can powerfully shift even those who are highly resistant.
I know you will appreciate this rich learning experience so much!
To make an impact in the world of dogs it’s going to take all of us.
Maybe not all at once... but the influence of a small group of like-minded, passionate, open-minded, curious, and accepting people can powerfully shift even those who are highly resistant.
What this retreat entails...
A lot of walking, exploring, adventuring, eating, drinking and laughing, this retreat is about opening our minds and having deep conversations.
Here is a brief itinerary for the week of the retreat:
DAY 1: Monday, November 2nd - Fly into Guatemala City Airport = La Aurora International (GUA)
Arrive before 2pm local time, so we can take a group shuttle (3-hour drive) to Panajachel.
We'll stop along the way for lunch, and have dinner in Panajachel.
DAY 2: Tuesday, November 3rd
Orientation & Explore Panajachel all day
DAY 3: Wednesday, November 4th
8:30am - Breakfast on your own
9:00am - Morning Huddle
10:00am - Boat to San Juan
10:30am - Brunch in San Juan
11:30am - Explore San Juan
2:30pm - Boat to Panajachel
3:00pm - Afternoon break (on your own)
5:00pm - Meet for drinks
Explore Panajachel as group
7:00pm - Dinner (Street food)
8:30pm - On your own
DAY 4: Thursday, November 5th
8:30am - Breakfast on your own
9:00am - Morning Huddle
10:00am - Boat to Santiago
10:30am - Brunch in Santiago
11:30am - Explore Santiago
2:30pm - Boat back to Panajachel
3:00pm - Afternoon break (on your own)
5:00pm - Meet for drinks
Explore Panajachel as group
7:00pm Dinner (Street food)
8:30pm On your own
DAY 5: Friday, November 6th
8:30am - Breakfast on your own
9:00am - Morning Huddle
10:00am - Boat to San Marcos
10:30am - Brunch in San Marcos
11:30am - Explore San Marcos
2:30pm - Boat back to Panajachel
3:00pm - Afternoon break (on your own)
5:00pm - Meet for drinks
7:00pm - Dinner
8:30pm - On your own
DAY 6: Saturday, November 7th
8:00am - Breakfast with group
11:00am - Checkout & Drive to Guatemala City
3:00pm - Arrive in Guatemala City
Check-in to hotel
DAY 7: Sunday, November 8th
Fly Home - at any time
We'll all be living
together in our "Doglando Village"
(villa accommodations)
We've got you covered!
It is our desire for you to relax and enjoy yourself on this retreat, get to know everyone in the group, make new friendships, and learn from one another.
Your investment in the Street Dog Retreat includes living accommodations within our "Doglando Village" community of villa rentals. It also includes a hotel night, for our last night in Guatemala, as well as all ground/boat transportation in Guatemala.
*Meals and Flights not included
After you register, we will email you our Trip Planning Guide, which provides a list of suggested items to pack for your trip, what to wear, which airport to fly into, and more - to make your planning easy!
Teena Patel's
Street Dog Retreat
November 2nd - 8th, 2020
Your Investment: $2,500 per adult
$500 for children / youth 2 - 12 years old
Package includes:
- 5 nights in a shared villa with Doglando community members
- 1 night in a hotel (November 7th)
- All local group transportation (shuttle, boats, etc.)
- Meals and Flights not included
NOTE: We will fly into La Aurora International Airport (GUA)
We will have a 3.5 hour shuttle ride to Panajachel, where we are spending the week, so try to schedule your flight to arrive in the morning or before 2pm local time, if possible.
We can't wait to see you there!]
What this retreat entails...
A lot of walking, exploring, adventuring, eating, drinking and laughing, this retreat is about opening our minds and having deep conversations.
Here is a brief itinerary for the week of the retreat:
DAY 1: Sunday, February 23rd - Fly into Guatemala City
Various shuttle times will be provided, for a 3-hour drive to Panajachel.
Tuesday, February 24th-28th in Panajachel
DAY 2: Monday, February 24th
Orientation & Explore Panajachel all day
DAY 3: Tuesday, February 25th
8:00am - Morning Huddle
8:30am - Breakfast
10:00am - Learning Segment
11:15am - Boat ride to San Juan
1:30pm - Lunch
2:30pm - Afternoon break (on your own)
3:30pm - Coffee & Tea
4:30pm - Explore Panajachel as a group
7:00pm - Dinner (Street food)
8:30pm - On your own
DAY 4: Wednesday, February 26th
8:00am - Morning Huddle
8:30am - Breakfast
10:00am - Boat ride to Santiago
10:30am - Explore Santiago
12:30pm - Lunch in Santiago
1:45pm - Boat ride back to Panajachel
2:30pm - Afternoon break (on your own)
4:00pm - Coffee & Tea and Learning Segment
6:00pm Explore Panajachel
7:00pm Dinner (Street food)
8:30pm On your own
DAY 5: Thursday, February 27th
8:00am - Morning Huddle
8:30am - Breakfast
10:00am - Learning Segment
12:30pm - Explore Panajachel + Lunch
3:00pm - Boat ride to San Marcos
3:30pm - Explore San Marcos
5:15pm - Meditation
6:30pm - Dinner
7:30pm - Boat ride back
8:30pm - On your own
DAY 6: Friday, February 28th
8:00am - Morning Huddle
8:30am - Breakfast
10:00am - Boat ride to Chichicastenango Market
10:30am - Exploring Chichicastenango
1:30pm - Lunch
2:45pm - Boat ride back to Panajachel
4:00pm - Coffee & Tea
4:30pm - Explore Panajachel
7:00pm - Dinner (Street food)
8:30pm - On your own
DAY 7: Saturday, February 29th
8:00am - Morning Huddle
8:30am - Breakfast
10:00am - ATV ride
1:30pm - Lunch
3:30pm - Drive to Guatemala City
7:00pm - Check in
7:30pm - Dinner
8:30pm On your own
DAY 8: Sunday March 1st - Fly home