Non-profit

The Institute of Registered Veterinary & Animal Physiotherapists

IRVAP is a dynamic community of qualified professionals working in animal therapy. Our shared belief is every animal deserves the best available treatment and that their owners are fully supported and informed.

Who we are

Our Members

Many of our members hold multi professional qualifications and offer an integrated service to the animals in their care, leading to improved lives for animals and owners. IRVAP’s diversity is our community strength, represented by our different membership categories and sub groups.

Our veterinary physiotherapy members use the post nominals MIRVAP (VP). Other categories use specific post nominals, as listed at the bottom of the page. Members who hold multiple qualifications, have the respective bracketed post nominals to clarify their status.

Our membership community includes; veterinary surgeons, veterinary physiotherapists, animal musculoskeletal practitioners, veterinary nurses, equine and canine hydrotherapists, animal massage therapists and TTouch practitioners who hold animal therapy qualifications.

High standards in professionalism and clinical proficiency are assured through our accredited registration process, guided by our specific category and sub group admissions policy. All our members are fully insured and work within the UK legislation.

What we do

Our Ethics and Values

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Animal Safety

Promote safe and effective practice in animal therapy, linking underpinning scientific knowledge to current clinical practice, leading to improved lives for animals and owners.

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Inclusivity

Provide an inclusive accreditation service in addition to supporting professional development. Qualifications and training are a career journey, not a destination.

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Animal Welfare

Support animal health care and welfare initiatives and provide clear and useful information for animal owners, veterinary surgeons, professional colleagues and the public.

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Research & Science

Facilitate research collaborations and scientific based approaches in all aspects of animal therapy and health care, across the field of professionals working in animal therapy.

What drives us

Our Mission

IRVAP is a caring, interactive community of qualified professionals working in animal therapy. We celebrate our diversity, animal focused ethics and inclusive opportunities.

We aim to raise standards of practice and provide informed representation for our members and information and resources for all those who work with animals.

What we offer

Member benefits

All of our registered members are entitled to these benefits:

  • Representation at local, regional and national level
  • Listing on Find a Therapist on this public website
  • Access to our IRVAP group insurance plan
  • Access to our exclusive member's only website
  • IRVAP Conference with high profile industry speakers
  • Recognition by major insurance companies
  • Research collaborations
  • Open office hours with IRVAP Chair and Council
  • Access to online journals
  • Members mentor and support programme
  • Approved IRVAP courses and CPD
  • Regular email updates
  • Use of branded merchandise

Stay up to date

Resources

Approved courses

IRVAP’s Accreditation Board approves CPD & Courses, raising standards and ensuring quality assurance.

We foster a proactive approach and are at the forefront of clinical skills training in animal therapy – see our CPD & Courses website page.

IRVAP’s robust quality assurance safeguards standards and we actively support our members career long commitment to advancing practice.

Explore resources

Friendly faces

Meet the IRVAP Council

Grace Nattrass

Grace Nattrass, IRVAP Chair

AdvCertVPhys, CertClinEd, PGCert, FHEA, MIRVAP(VP)(IEH)

With experience in clinical practice and education, I aim to develop training for both our membership and the industry that raises standards of practice and enhances animal welfare.

Tom

Tom Worman, Treasurer

BSc, PgDip, L3CertHydroSA, MIRVAP(MT)(ICH)

With a broad experience across a variety of business and charity organisations I am here to our help members through their journey with IRVAP and to develop their own businesses.

Laura

Laura Hackett, Membership Secretary

MScVetPhys, PgDipVetPhys, Cert.ClinEd, BA, MIRVAP(VP)(ICH)

I aim to help ensure our members have a smooth registration and renewal process whilst upholding our accredited registration process.

Council Officers and Co-Opted Members

Kerrie Oakley

Kerrie Oakley, Mentoring coordinator

DipVPhys, CertSAHydro, RVN, Cert Ed, MIRVAP(VP)(ICH), MRAMP

I support new and existing members and offer guidance to assist their professional and personal progress within the industry sector.

Lisa Bartley

Lisa Bartley, IEH Chair, CPD and Student Support

DipVPR, DipESM, MIRVAP(VP)

I believe it's important for qualified therapists to have ongoing support to advance their practice and clinical skills.

Susanne Pender

Susanne Pender, Insurance Coordinator

L3CertHydroSA, BSc(Hons)Phys, PgCertSART, MCSP, FIRVAP(VP)(ICH)

My experiences as a past IRVAP Chair supports my role to verify insurance policies and organise the Group Insurance Scheme.

Carly Nairn

Carly Nairn, CPD Auditor and Conference Coordinator

RVN, L3CertHydroSA, CertCFVN, MIRVAP(ICH)

My role is to support the IRVAP Council annually auditing member's CPD and contribute to the running of the Annual Conference as Floor Manager and coordinator.

Wendy Vaughan

Wendy Vaughan, Education and Endorsements

IRVAP, RAMP, AHPR, PgCert Vet Ed, FHEA

My role is to support the IRVAP Council with all matters relating to education and accreditation, bringing my combined experience across business, therapy and education to hep develop clear standards, processes and procedures to support IRVAPs strategy

Miranda Cosstick

Miranda Cosstick, Social Media and Marketing

MScVetPhys, PgDipVetPhys, Cert.ClinEd, BA, L4DipSAHydro, MIRVAP(VP)(ICH)

I promote the work of IRVAP and its members throughout the industry, to highlight best practices and our expanding member benefits and opportunities.

ICH Board

Kerrie Oakley

Kerrie Oakley, ICH Chair

DipVPhys, CertSAHydro, RVN, Cert Ed, MIRVAP(VP)(ICH), MRAMP

The ICH supports our canine hydrotherapists on their career journey and I am passionate about raising standards to ensure best practice for dogs and their owners.

Maria Johnston

Maria Johnston, ICH Board Member

L3CertHydroSA, TTouchP3, APDT, CBWA, AdvCertVPhys, FIRVAP(VP)(ICH)

Tessa Lewis

Tessa lewis, ICH Board Member

PgCertSART, L3CertHydroSA, MIRVAP(VP)(ICH)

As the owner of a large canine rehab centre, my role is to support members through our mentoring scheme and the ICH with it's expansion.

Jess Moreton

Jess Moreton, Board Member

DipVPhys, RVN, CertEd, MRAMP, MIRVAP (VP)(ICH)

IEH Board

Lisa Bartley

Lisa Bartley, IEH Chair

DipVPR, DipESM, MIRVAP(VP)

I believe it's important for qualified therapists to have ongoing support to advance their practice and clinical skills.

Grace Nattrass

Grace Nattrass, Board Member

AdvCertVPhys, CertClinEd, PGCert, FHEA, MIRVAP(VP)(IEH)

With experience in clinical practice and education, I aim to develop training for both our membership and the industry that raises standards of practice and enhances animal welfare.

Hannah Simpson

Hannah Simpson, Board Member

MSc, BSc (Hons), RAMP, MIRVAP (VP)

With a passion for equine hydrotherapy and continued learning, I hope to facilitate the development of new resources for our members.

Past Chair

Barbara Houlding

Barbara Houlding

GradDipPhys, MScVetPhys, MCSP, FIRVAP(VP)(ICH), MRAMP

I aim to foster a proactive community of like minded therapists who focus on the health and wellbeing of the animals in their professional care. This involves supporting a diverse membership and nurturing best practice.

Ways to join

Membership Categories

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Veterinary Physiotherapist Member: MIRVAP (VP)

Veterinary physiotherapist: Holder of an accredited university qualification at level 6 – 7.

Evidence required & verified – Qualification certificate, course transcripts, CV, CPD record and insurance certification if not accessing the IRVAP group insurance scheme. Free second listing in another IRVAP category / sub group with appropriate evidence to meet the specific registration requirements.

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Manual Therapist member: MIRVAP (MT)

Animal practitioner: Holder of an accredited animal therapy qualification level 3 – 6

Evidence required & verified- Qualification certificate, course transcripts, CV, CPD record and insurance certification if not accessing the IRVAP group insurance scheme. Free second listing in another IRVAP category / sub group with appropriate evidence to meet the specific registration requirements.

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Institute of Canine Hydrotherapists: MIRVAP (ICH)

Canine hydrotherapist holder of an Ofqual qualification: Level 3 certificate in canine hydrotherapy, as a minimum. The ICH has members with qualification levels ranging from L3 to L7 which meet the ICH day one canine hydrotherapy competencies.

Evidence required & verified – Qualification certificate, course transcripts, CV, CPD record, first aid certificate, water management requirements and insurance certification if not accessing the IRVAP group insurance scheme.

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Institute of Equine Hydrotherapists: MIRVAP (IEH)

Each application is looked at on an individual basis and you need to submit your equine CPD record and CV, evidencing your equine experience, education level, suitable professional courses, equine hydrotherapy experience and insurance cover (you are entitled to access our Group Insurance plan). Additional evidence includes equine first aid and a water management course or training.

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Student member

Learner on any relevant accredited course providing evidence of course place.

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Non-Practising member

Maternity leave, illness, injury, or sabbatical with appropriate run off insurance.

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Hon Fellow / Fellow

Council appointed for outstanding service to IRVAP and the animal care industry.