About Us

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.

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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)

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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.  

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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

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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

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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 

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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.

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NARCH Membership Secretary

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