Non-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.
2023 Conference - Animal Therapy For The Future
A truly amazing Conference which was completely SOLD OUT months before the event and a fantastic success. Thank you to all the delegates, presenters and businesses who shared this memorable day and gave such great feedback. We raised £550 for the two charities we are supporting this year, so £225 each. Thank you everyone at the Conference for your amazing generosity! – COMING SOON a journalistic photo gallery to celebrate the day.
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
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.
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.
INCLUSIVITY
Provide an inclusive accreditation service in addition to supporting professional development. Qualifications and training are a career journey, not a destination.
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
Leading the Way
IRVAP Conference provides an invaluable networking experience of conversations and presentations from industry experts – certificated 7 CPD hours.
Upcoming Events
2023 IRVAP Conference - SOLD OUT
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
Barbara Houlding, IRVAP 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.
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 Hackett, Membership Secretary
MScVetPhys, PgDipVetPhys, Cert.ClinEd, BA, L4DipSAHydro, MIRVAP(VP)(ICH)
I aim to help ensure our members have a smooth registration and renewal process whilst upholding our accredited registration process.
Avril Coleman, Mentor coordinator
BSc(Hons), PgCertSART, MIRVAP(VP)(ICH)
I support new and existing members and offer guidance to assist their professional and personal progress within the industry sector.
maria johnston, ICH CHAIR
L3CertHydroSA, TTouchP3, APDT, CBWA, AdvCertVPhys, FIRVAP(VP)(ICH)
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, MIRVAP(VP)(ICH)
My experiences as a past IRVAP Chair supports my role to verify insurance policies and organise the Group Insurance Scheme.
Grace Nattrass, IEH CO-CHAIR
AdvCertVPhys, CertClinEd, BSc(Hons), MIRVAP(VP)(IEH)
I aim to offer our members reliable and experienced support. With innovative ideas, an open mind and a creative approach I aim to inspire others in our industry.
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.
Gaby Kerfoot, IEH CO-CHAIR
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.
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.
Co-opted members
Council Co-opted members assist and work closely with the IRVAP Council.
Carly Nairn, co-opted
RVN, L3CertHydroSA, CertCFVN, MIRVAP(ICH)
Kerrie Oakley, co-opted
DipVPhys, RVN, CertEd, MRAMP, MIRVAP (VP)(ICH)
Lisa Bartley, co-opted
DipVPR, DipESM, MIRVAP(VP)
JENNY BEST, co-opted
L3DipHydroSA, BSc(Hons) RVN, PGCE, PgDipVP, MIRVAP (VP)(ICH)
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)
Student member
Non Practising member
Hon Fellow / Fellow
Promote your Courses
Find out how IRVAP endorsement of CPD and Courses provides quality assurance and value to your training provision.
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