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.
IRVAP Annual Conference
Fri 17 Oct 2025 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM Leonardo Hinckley Island Hotel, LE10 3JA
Confirmed speakers so far include: Sue Dyson, Russel Mackechnie Guire, Matt Shackleton, Mel Bruder, Nichi Cockburn and Rachel Bean.
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
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.
Inclusivity
Provide an inclusive accreditation service in addition to supporting professional development. Qualifications and training are a career journey, not a destination.
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.
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
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.
Tracey Body, Treasurer
Tracey has experience in book-keeping and admin, making her our office whizz!
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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, ICH Board Member
L3CertHydroSA, TTouchP3, APDT, CBWA, AdvCertVPhys, FIRVAP(VP)(ICH)
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, Board Member
DipVPhys, RVN, CertEd, MRAMP, MIRVAP (VP)(ICH)
IEH Board
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, 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, 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.
Affiliate Members
Nicholas Matthews
Account Director at Towergate Insurance, one of the largest independent insurance brokers in the UK. I'm dedicated to customer excellence and have a knack for explaining complex matters in plain English.
Ways to join
Membership Categories
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.
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.
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.
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.
Student member
Learner on any relevant accredited course providing evidence of course place.
Non-Practising member
Maternity leave, illness, injury, or sabbatical with appropriate run off insurance.
Hon Fellow / Fellow
Council appointed for outstanding service to IRVAP and the animal care industry.