Join us at the IRVAP Conference
Friday 11th October 2024 ~ Leonardo Hotel, Hinckley Book Tickets NowNon-Profit
The Institute of Registered Veterinary & Animal PhysiotherapistsIRVAP 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 & 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.
![](https://www.irvap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/certificate.png)
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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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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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.
friendly faces
Meet the IRVAP Council
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Grace Nattrass, IRVAP chair and IEH 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.
![](https://www.irvap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/BarbaraHoulding.jpg)
Barbara Houlding, vice-Chair
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.
![](https://www.irvap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/TomWorman.jpg)
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.
![](https://www.irvap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Laura-e1710361873113-300x300.jpg)
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
![](https://www.irvap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/KerrieOakley.jpg)
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.
![](https://www.irvap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/LisaBartley.jpg)
Lisa Bartley, 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.
![](https://www.irvap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/SusannePender.jpg)
Susanne Pender, insurance coordinator
L3CertHydroSA, BSc(Hons)Phys, PgCertSART, MCSP, MIRVAP(VP)(ICH)
My experiences as a past IRVAP Chair supports my role to verify insurance policies and organise the Group Insurance Scheme.
![](https://www.irvap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/MirandaCosstick.jpg)
Miranda Cosstick, Social Media
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.
![](https://www.irvap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/SarahWard.jpg)
Sarah Ward, MemberSpace Coordinator
PgCertSART, L3CertHydroSA, RVN, MBVNA, MIRVAP(VP)(ICH)
I ensure all our members are listed on our find a therapist website and have access to our unique MemberSpace.
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PAULA TEAL, IRVAP ADMINISTRATOR
L3DipHydroSA, BSc(Hons), MIRVAP(ICH)
My role is to support the IRVAP Council with administration matters, to ensure the council can effectively represent and deliver for you.
![](https://www.irvap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/CarlyNairn.jpg)
Carly Nairn, cpd auditor
RVN, L3CertHydroSA, CertCFVN, MIRVAP(ICH)
ICH Board
![](https://www.irvap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/SarahWard.jpg)
Sarah Ward, ICH Chair
PgCertSART, L3CertHydroSA, RVN, MBVNA, MIRVAP(VP)(ICH)
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.
![](https://www.irvap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled-design.png)
PAULA TEAL, ICH Board member
L3DipHydroSA, BSc(Hons), MIRVAP(ICH)
My role is to support the IRVAP Council with administration matters, to ensure the council can effectively represent and deliver for you.
![](https://www.irvap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JessicaMoreton.jpg)
Jess Moreton, Board member
DipVPhys, RVN, CertEd, MRAMP, MIRVAP (VP)(ICH)
![](https://www.irvap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/WebVersion_profile-e1710321071654.jpg)
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.
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Karynne Penfold, International Representative
L3CertSA + L4AdvCertCanHydro, NZACH, MIRVAP (ICH)
![](https://www.irvap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/MariaJohnston.jpg)
maria johnston, ICH board member
L3CertHydroSA, TTouchP3, APDT, CBWA, AdvCertVPhys, FIRVAP(VP)(ICH)
IEH Board
![](https://www.irvap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/VetHed-IEH266of273-scaled-e1710362339428.jpg)
Grace Nattrass, IEH 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.
![](https://www.irvap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GabyKerfoot.jpg)
Gaby Kerfoot, Board member
BSc, AdvCertVPhys, FIRVAP(VP)(IEH)
With over 30 years in the industry, I aim to share equine physiotherapy, rehab and performance enhancement knowledge and skills with our members.
![](https://www.irvap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/LisaBartley.jpg)
Lisa Bartley, Board Member
DipVPR, DipESM, MIRVAP(VP)
I believe it's important for qualified therapists to have ongoing support to advance their practice and clinical skills.
![](https://www.irvap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/VetHed-IEH268of273-scaled-e1710284334634.jpg)
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.
Co-opted members
Council Co-opted members assist and work closely with the IRVAP Council.
![](https://www.irvap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JennyBest-300x300.jpg)
JENNY BEST, co-opted
L3DipHydroSA, BSc(Hons) RVN, PGCE, PgDipVP, MIRVAP (VP)(ICH)
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.
![](https://www.irvap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/icon56-03.png)
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)
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Student member
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Non Practising member
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Hon Fellow / Fellow
CONTACTS
For Membership Enquiries - membership@irvap.org.uk
For Professional Development Matters - cpd@irvap.org.uk
For Canine Hydrotherapy Support - ich@irvap.org.uk
For Equine Hydrotherapy Support - ieh@irvap.org.uk
For Receipts and Transactions - treasurer@irvap.org.uk
For Mentoring and Support - mentoring@irvap.org.uk
For Student Support - student-support@irvap.org.uk
For The IRVAP Chair - irvapchair@irvap.org.uk