Passionate about dogs having happy, healthy lives
My Beliefs
My belief is therapists who build a positive therapeutic partnership with each dog, will gain their consent, confidence and trust. Firstly, the dog will choose to actively work with their therapist, rather than surviving the experience. Secondly, this is current best practice and therefore, guides all our resource development.
Furthermore, the Hub shares 43 years of clinical expertise, experiences and skills, supported by scientific concepts. In addition, the content is focused on optimising the natural balance, function, movement and wellbeing of every dog, using contextual micro learning from a clinical perspective and an interactive format.
Meet Barbara Houlding
As the first UK Accredited Clinical Educator in Veterinary Physiotherapy, I am committed to supporting therapists on their canine career journey.
Canine practice is constantly evolving, therefore, the Hub offers up-to-date, exciting interactive experiences, to advance clinical skills. Above all, this will optimise therapeutic services and results for the dogs in your care.
Credentials
- Chartered Physiotherapist and Veterinary Physiotherapist; 43 years of clinical experience
- The first UK Accredited Clinical Educator in Veterinary Physiotherapy (awarded by CSP)
- ACPAT Core Knowledge & Skills course – canine component; devised, lecturer and examiner
- Royal Veterinary College, London – Postgraduate Masters in Veterinary Physiotherapy; clinical educator, lecturer and assistant examiner
- Nottingham Veterinary School’s PgCert (level 7) in Small Animal Rehabilitation – Co-Course Director; devised, lecturer and examiner
- Approved Training Provider for Ofqual regulated canine hydrotherapy courses
- International speaker on canine physiotherapy, rehabilitation and clinical hydrotherapy
- Past Chair of IRVAP (irvap.org.uk)
- Initiated the Institute of Canine Hydrotherapists (ICH)
- Past ICH Chair
- Fellow of IRVAP, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) member; 1982 – , ACPAT Cat A member 2002 – 2024, Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP) member
Awards
- Canine Hydrotherapy Association (CHA) Award 2017 – “Outstanding Services to the UK Hydrotherapy Industry”
- IRVAP Excellence Awards 2025 – “Excellence in Education & Mentorship”
Published Articles
- Dog Edition; Issue 84, October 2025, p58-62: Canine Specific Physiotherapy Practice.
- Animal Therapy Magazine; Issue 4, Spring 2016, p4-7: The role of integrative practice to include hydrotherapy and veterinary physiotherapy for senior dogs with locomotive disorders.
- VetRecord; Volume 168, Issue 15, April 2011, p405-406: Canine Hydrotherapy: where are we now?
Barbara Houlding is proud to be an active member of these professional organisations
