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. RCHs elect Management Committee members through an online voting system.

We would like to introduce ourselves to you:

JUSTINE ACKROYD RCH (Joint Chair)

Justine bought a boarding kennels and cattery in 2008 and opened her canine hydrotherapy centre in 2010 after completing her training in hydrotherapy at Greyfriars in 2009. Just after completion of the course, NARCH was born and Justine was one of its first members.

Justine’s centre has both pool and treadmill and works closely with other professionals in the canine rehabilitation industry, enabling the service of a multi-modal approach for each patient. Justine currently employs 3 RCHs with one in training. In 2019 Justine became a NARCH Approved Practical Training Provider which feeds her passion for education and training, not only passing on skills to other hydrotherapists and clients but also her own thirst for knowledge. Justine loves going on training courses. This has been a driving force behind her working life, having previously been a trainer and educator within the hairdressing industry.

One of Justine’s goals when she first opened her hydrotherapy centre was to join the NARCH Committee due to its goal of raising standards within the industry. That goal now met, her next is to achieve the Level 6 Veterinary Hydrotherapy qualification. Currently she holds the Level 4 Award in Small Animal Hydrotherapy.

LEANNE FLETCHER, RCH (Joint Chair) 

After her own dog was diagnosed with severe Hip Dysplasia in 2013, Leanne took a keen interest in complementary therapies and rehabilitation and trained to achieve both her Level 3 Certificate and Level 3 Diploma in Hydrotherapy for Small Animals before opening her own centre, Fylde Coast Hydrotherapy in 2014. Leanne has also completed Advanced Water Treadmill training upon adding a Water Treadmill to her centre in 2015. She has also since completed the OCNLR Level 4 award in Canine Hydrotherapy at Greyfriars Training in 2019 and has continued to work as a hydrotherapist and grow the business over the past 7 years. Leanne is extremely passionate about canine rehabilitation and advocating high standards within the industry.  She currently carries out audit work on behalf of the NARCH committee and co-ordinates the quarterly NARCH newsletter.

ABIGAIL STRIBBLING, RCH (Joint Vice Chair)

Abigail has worked within the hydrotherapy sector since 2017. She attended Hawksmoor Training and Rehabilitation Centre in Warwickshire and qualified in October 2017, attaining a Level 3 Certificate in Small Animal Hydrotherapy. She began her journey in hydrotherapy with work experience at the very centre, based in Haywards Heath, which she now manages and runs and where she is the acting Senior Hydrotherapist. Completing an advanced treadmill training course at Greyfriars Rehabilitation and Training Centre in 2021, this strengthened her own knowledge and understanding of the additional benefits of working with a treadmill unit and the business is hoping to begin offering treadmill treatment sessions in the near future.  Abigail is very passionate about promoting the health and wellbeing of all her patients and is keen to learn new ways of enhancing and creating a more positive and fun experience for them. She currently carries out audit work on behalf of the NARCH committee.

REBECCA GOLTON, RCH (Joint Vice Chair)

Rebecca graduated from Hartpury University in 2020, where she studied Bioveterinary Science. The university's canine hydrotherapy centre led to her interest in this area of canine care and rehabilitation and she completed her dissertation in her final year in this specialist area. She successfully completed her dissertation in her final year in this specialist area. She successfully completed the Level 3 Certificate in Canine Hydrotherapy at Greyfriars in 2020 and then followed on to complete the Level 4 Award in Canine Hydrotherapy in 2021. Rebecca then joined the Greyfriars hydrotherapy team in 2022 and is currently studying towards the Level 4 Diploma in Canine Hydrotherapy after completing the massage module in 2023. Passionate about the wellbeing of all animals, Rebecca is enthusiastic to continue her studies and CPD opportunities, enabling her to learn more, ensuring patients receive the best possible care.

LAURA HAYWOOD, RCH RVN Vet Physio (Nurse Advisor)

Laura qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2013, following the successful completion of a Foundation Degree in Veterinary Nursing. Laura worked for a veterinary hospital and was always interested in the orthopaedic side of the practice and in-patient care, leading to a passion for rehabilitation. 

In 2017 Laura completed her Level 3 Certificate in Hydrotherapy and then went on to achieve the Advanced Diploma in Underwater Treadmill in 2018. Laura works at a centre in Worcestershire with both a hydrotherapy pool and underwater treadmill and is now a senior hydrotherapist. She has also recently completed a Diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy.

Laura is passionate about her role as a therapist and treating each patient as an individual. She always strives for a "Fear Free" approach to each session to build a connection with each patient. 

LUKE MULHOLLAND, RCH

Luke is the current clinical lead at Aqua Dog Hydrotherapy Rehabilitation, based in Ireland. He qualified in 2018 after spending 2 years working under the guidance of other therapists, before returning to gain his level 4 in 2019 with Greyfriar's. Luke has since been the senior hydrotherapist in orthopaedic hospitals in Dublin alongside assisting with the running of international training courses. He has a huge passion for delivering high quality and ethical treatment with a focus on raising the standards of treatment in Ireland. 

DEBORAH HUTCHINSON, RCH

Deborah began her Hydrotherapy journey in 2003 with her own dogs, who needed various therapies including Hydrotherapy.  Keen to pursue a career in this world, she undertook one of her first Hydrotherapy Courses at Greyfriars in 2008, while her Centre (East Sussex Canine Hydrotherapy Centre) was being formed and an in ground swimming pool constructed.  Once opened, she became a Member of the Canine Hydrotherapy Association, until NARCH arrived, when she was a Member of both Associations.  Since then, thousands of gorgeous dogs have been treated by Debs and, although retirement was planned in 2024, she decided it was too soon to hang up her wetsuit, and she is now a Locum Hydrotherapist nationwide.