Give a grooming and mowing in an environment conducive to relaxation, quality care, personalized and professional. Cats and dogs of all breeds are welcome in our safe and peaceful environment. One animal at a time.
“I studied art, but I wanted to work in something more tangible, and that is why I got a job in an animal shelter. I loved the experience, not only because I love animals, but I also felt like I was making a difference in their lives, like I was contributing to their well-being,” proclaims Caroline Valiquette, owner of Spa Poilu, a small cat and dog grooming salon on Masson Street.
“I eventually took a grooming course after acquiring grooming experience in a salon. I realized it’s a line of work where patience and tender care is important, and that spoke to me; I then went on to work in a series of salons in Montreal.”
Another aspect of the work elicited a reflection from Caroline: “I quickly realized that it can also be a stressful job, especially in salons that operate on a model that recalls a production line. It’s stressful for the groomer, but also the pet; everything is so quick and expeditious that they don’t have the time to feel relaxed. That wasn’t my vision of how I wanted to work, so I started looking for a salon where I could work in my own way, which I finally found at Heidi et Cie, who are now my neighbours. It was a pet store that also did grooming, and being there really reconciled me with my work. After a while, they offered to sell me the grooming operation, and that is how Spa Poilu was born, in 2010.”
