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. RCHs elect Management Committee members through an online voting system.
We would like to introduce ourselves to you - please click on a name below to find out more about the committee members:
NARCH - Chairman
Hydrotherapy
business owner and Chairman of NARCH, Adam became a canine hydrotherapist over
10 years ago, when he made the decision to make a career change. Having always
been passionate about Animals, their care and husbandry, he was able to combine
his passion with a full time career in Hydrotherapy when he opened his own
centre with pool, treadmill, grooming and dog day care facilities. He is well
placed to talk about the challenges facing the small pool business owner and
the different Hydrotherapy techniques required in a small hydrotherapy pool,
being based in central London where every square metre of space must be used
logically and effectively to provide a comfortable and safe environment for
canine clients and their owners.
NARCH - Committee Member
Lisa Dobson, trained as a State Enrolled nurse at Buckland Hospital
Dover/ William Harvey Hospital Ashford Kent in 1982. I completed further
training to State Registered nurse at St. Helier Hospital Carshalton Surrey in
1988. I worked for several years in different areas including geriatrics,
general surgery and orthopaedics. I then moved to Chesterfield Derbyshire where
I worked as an Occupational Health nurse for British Steel until I married in
1991. I had a career break to raise my family but continued to study for a post
16 city & guilds 730 teaching qualification. I also helped out at a local
dog training school and achieved several certificates to teach obedience
training, flyball and agility. In 2010 I bought my business, Aquavet Ltd, a
canine hydrotherapy and rehabilitation centre in Sheffield. I qualified as a Hydrotherapist
from Whitehouse in Lincolnshire and completed an Advanced Treadmill
qualification at Greyfriars Surrey. I have built my business up over nearly 10
years and have been a member of the NARCH committee for approximately 2 years.
Post Nominals R.G.N. (Registered General Nurse), RCH (Registered Canine
Hydrotherapist)
NARCH Committee Member.
Vanessa qualified as a dentist at the University of Pretoria, South
Africa in 2001. She moved to the United Kingdom in 2004 and still works part
time as a dentist. In 2015 Vanessa attained a Diploma in Hydrotherapy for Small
Animals from Greyfriars Rehabilitation and Hydrotherapy Referrals. She has been
working part time at Greyfriars since then as both a hydrotherapist and an
administrator. Vanessa served as Membership Secretary for NARCH for one year
and has been on the NARCH committee since 2015. Vanessa is a qualified BSAC
Dive Leader and is a member of Surrey Aquanauts BSAC Diving Club and has
previously been Membership Secretary for the club.
NARCH - NARCH Committee Member &
Veterinary Nurse Advisor
Joanna graduated from Sparsholt College Hampshire with an Upper Second
Class 2:1 BSc Hons in Veterinary Nursing Science, accredited by Portsmouth
University. Joanna worked as a fully qualified Veterinary Nurse for over 12
years, with 2 years spent as Head Veterinary Nurse and Clinical Coach being
responsible and accountable for leading a nursing team of 10. After developing
an interest in the rehabilitation of animals post-surgery a decision was made to
become a Canine Hydrotherapist. Gaining the Level 3 certificate in canine
hydrotherapy in 2013 and then opening her own hydrotherapy centre later that
same year. Since then Joanna has been involved in all aspects of running a
hydrotherapy centre from engaging with clients, planning and developing each
individual dog’s rehabilitation program ensuring a high standard of
hydrotherapy treatment and administration roles
NARCH Committee Member
Marion holds a PhD in Health Service Management and Applied Research and
MSc in Biological Science from Nottingham University. Areas of work have
included participation on multi-centre trials on therapeutic hypothermia with
Marion's particular focus being on the inflammatory response. She also has a PG
Certificate in Education and Back Care from Southampton University. Marion has
over 30 years experience in neonatal and children’s intensive care in the UK
and abroad and has been working as a lecturer practitioner in this area of
nursing since 2000, first at Southampton University and more recently at
Cardiff University. Marion is a Registered Canine Hydrotherapist having trained
to Diploma level at Greyfriars Rehabilitation and veterinary centre. She is the
proud owner of Bilbo’s Pet Spa Limited in Gloucestershire
NARCH Committee Member
Kirsten has worked at Greyfriars Veterinary Rehabilitation and
Hydrotherapy Referrals since July 2013, and has the ABC Level 3 Diploma in
Hydrotherapy for Small Animals. Kirsten is Practice Manager at Greyfriars and
also the Course Administrator. Hreyfriars Veterinary Rehabilitation and
Hydrotherapy Referrals is a worldwide training provider offering the highest
standard of hydrotherapy training to individuals wishing to become
hydrotherapists and also for qualified hydrotherapists wishing to develop and
enhance their skills in hydrotherapy. Greyfriars is also a leading
rehabilitation centre offering excellent hydrotherapy facilities along side a
wide range of other physiotherapy and rehabilitation services. Due to the size
and skill sets of those who work at Greyfriars they frequently received complex
case referrals from leading orthopaedic surgeons across the country. As part of
Kirsten’s role at Greyfriars she is the internal moderator for the OCNLR Level
2 Award for Canine Hydrotherapy Assistants, the OCNLR Level 3 Certificate in
Canine Hydrotherapy, OCNLR Level 4 Award in Canine Hydrotherapy and OCNLR Level
4 Diploma in Canine Hydrotherapy.
Kirsten has been on the NARCH committee since September 2013 initially
as Membership Secretary and more recently as the IT advisor
NARCH Committee Member
Lorna has owned and managed a large hydrotherapy pool near Crewe for the
last 8 years. She has attained a Level 4 Award in Small Animal Hydrotherapy, is
a N.A.R.C.H. Committee Member and an accredited NARCH Practical Trainer and
Assessor, and has Level 3 diplomas in Canine Psychology and Canine Massage. Lorna
had a career in Education for the 20 years previous, including the post of
Senior Teacher at Primary Level and Senior Lecturer in Primary Education at
Wolverhampton and Manchester Universities. Qualifications include BSc in
Environmental Sciences, Post Graduate Certificate in Mentoring and Post
Graduate Diploma in Education.
NARCH Committee Member
Hydrotherapy business owner and NARCH committee member. She works as a
hydrotherapist and runs a hydrotherapy business, she is also a police dog
handler in London. Kat has a small pool and water treadmill and is always
considering new ideas to make the most of working in a small area. She
enjoys the challenge of effectively making use of every bit of floor space and
having been through this process setting up her own business, wants to share
ideas that may be beneficial to others thinking or redesigning or
starting up a business with limited space
