Our mission

Provide bilingual respite, day camps and zootherapy services in the Eastern Ottawa region. We aim to make a positive difference in the lives of families with children, teenagers, etc, living different challenges by welcoming them in a unique family environment or by visiting certain establishments in the region.

Our clientele

Our clientele is very large! It includes people of all ages living with certain challenges such as disorders:

  • intellectuals

  • physical

  • social

  • emotional

  • cognitive

  • mental health

Who we are

Marie-Josée Chénier

  • Owner of Expérience Unik

  • Special education teacher

  • Certified in animal therapy

  • Various experiences with people with special needs, especially with autistic clients

Valérie Villeneuve

  • Bachelor of Social Sciences

  • Diploma in Rehabilitation and Criminal Justice Techniques

  • Various experiences with children in daycare as well as program assistant for young people with special needs

  • Experiences in the field of equine assisted therapy zootherapy

Our role

Our role is to create a bond of trust and respect towards each of our clients in order to develop their strengths, their interests, as well as provide them with a calm, safe and fun environment. We also offer them stimulating activities and programs tailored to their needs.

Our team

Our team is made up of bilingual speakers as well as several students and volunteers. Each member of our team contributes, in their own way, to the proper functioning of our Unik services.

Guided tour of our Unik site

Our Unik location is located in the countryside in Hammond (2838, Nolan Road, Hammond, On.) Our clients have access to the Unik House, our small farmhouse, our animals, the picnic and play areas as well as to our trails.

Where does Experience Unik come from

Unik Experience is owned by Marie-Josée Chénier, a native of Sarsfield, a small village east of Ottawa. She grew up on a paternal dairy farm, with her parents and two sisters.

As a small child, she already helped her father take care of animals. It was at this time that her passion for animals began!

In 1996, she obtained her diploma as a specialized educator. She worked 20 years in a school environment, with children with special needs.

In 2016, she worked 1 year for the Treatment Center for Children and Adolescents; Emerging Minds. This professional path therefore allows Marie-Josée to accumulate a wealth of experience allowing her to start her own business.

In 2017, she obtained a certification in zootherapy and she officially created her company; “UNIK Experience”. The purpose of this is to make a positive difference with families with children, teens and adults living with different challenges in the region. (schools, daycares, residences for the elderly…).

Photo: Miguel Lalonde photography Editing: Anne Lizotte Communications

Our UNIK animals

Molly

Mya

Mirabelle

Marcus

Misty

Luna

Penny

Cody

Coquin

Mika

Blue

Minoune & Minette

Ti-gros

Charlie

Buck

Buck

Milou

Butter & Jelly

Bean

Chevy

Charlotte & Chalot

Buddy

Contact us to make an appointment to access our services