About Us

The National Association of Registered Canine Hydrotherapists (NARCH) is a not for profit professional association which maintains the List of Registered Canine Hydrotherapists (RCHs) in the UK. NARCH ensures that all RCHs adhere to the highest professional standards and ethics and these requirements are laid out on this website and within the Guide to Professional Conduct for Registered Canine Hydrotherapists.

NARCH was established by a band of keen and enthusiastic individuals who volunteered their time to establish this national body. We have a democratic election system established. Our Registered Canine Hydrotherapists voted for their Management Committee members using an electronic voting system and the election results were announced at our AGM on 24th July 2011.

We would like to introduce ourselves to you - please click on a name below to find out more about the committee members:

Jo Frost BVSc MRCVS

Jo Frost is head vet at a small-animal veterinary practice in Surrey whose focus is on providing the very best in patient and client care. Jo has a strong interest in small-animal medicine, pain control and acupuncture.

Over the past four years Jo has provided veterinary care for her local hydrotherapy centre's patients and has experienced, firsthand, the benefits which hydrotherapy brings to the many animals receiving treatment.

Jo brings to the NARCH committee her knowledge and experience from veterinary general practice.

Angela Griffiths CCRP, RCH

Angela Griffiths began Greyfriars Rehabilitation and Hydrotherapy Centre in 2001 in response to her experience in rehabilitating her own dog, Mia, who suffered spinal injury and paralysis. Angela qualified at the University of Tennessee as a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner in 2005 and specialises in the rehabilitation care of spinal injured dogs and cats.

Angela writes, develops and teaches Greyfriars BVNA and ABC accredited training courses. She also presents CPD lectures for a variety of educational and veterinary organisations. She shares life with a boxer, greyhound and retriever and in her 'spare' time enjoys skiing, travel and animal photography.

Angela brings to the NARCH Committee many years of business experience together with public service as a Town Councillor and Mayor. She has served on the Board of the Canine Hydrotherapy Association and has a good understanding of the ethical and practical issues involved in raising both the standards of training and respect for canine hydrotherapy as a profession.

Clair Hucker

Clair has been a registered veterinary nurse for over ten years, working in both first opinion and referral practices. Clair loves travelling and has incorporated this into her work by volunteering in many different places throughout world. This has helped her keep her up to date with developments internationally within veterinary medicine.

Clair's love of animals has seen her set up her own canine rehabilitation centre in Bristol. She qualified as a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner with the University of Tennessee in 2011.

Clair brings to the NARCH committee her knowledge of veterinary care and animal welfare along with her experience and knowledge of canine hydrotherapy and rehabilitation.

Annelies Klinker MSc

Annelies is a veterinary physiotherapist working part time treating animals and part time treating people. She qualified as a chartered physiotherapist in 2002 and completed an MSc in Veterinary Physiotherapy in 2007.

Annelies works as part of the team at Greyfriars Rehabilitation and Hydrotherapy Referral Centre and finds hydrotherapy an invaluable part of rehabilitation for her canine patients. She strongly believes that this should only be performed by suitably qualified and trained individuals in order to safeguard the health and well being of canine patients.

Annelies hopes to bring the physiotherapists perspective to the committee and aid in the development the profession. She enjoys cycling, sailing and horse riding away from work and a nice glass of red wine on a Friday night!

Robin Wilson BA (Hons) QTS, NPQH, RCH

Robin established Whitehouse Canine Hydrotherapy in Lincolnshire in 2005. Since then he has built up a successful and highly-regarded hydrotherapy referral centre, working in liaison with vets and orthopaedic specialists both locally and nationally.

Robin believes in a ‘hands-on’ approach to rehabilitation and is very much involved in the day-to-day running of the centre and the many and varied cases that are seen there.

Robin brings to the NARCH committee a background in education spanning 15 years, many spent in senior management positions and finally as a Headteacher. He believes that it is a privilege to work in the field of canine hydrotherapy and rehabilitation but that therapists should have a thorough knowledge and understanding, and practical experience, before embarking on a career in this field. To this end he has become more involved in training for Canine Hydrotherapists and working to continue to improve standards within the industry.

Frances Murtaugh, RCH

Frances established Yonderton Canine Care in Keith Banffshire in 2010, having completed 25 years in he Royal Air Force as an Aircraft Engineer, attaining the rank of Chief Technician.

She brings to the Committee the wealth of experience she gained during her time in the Royal Air Force in developing and maintaining databases, managing budgets, and working to deadlines.