I am a retired Federal Law Enforcement Agent and I also own horses and dogs and DO NOT wish to see house bill HB-3202 become law. If it does then the drugs will become available to teens and the public who will misuse the drugs. Our children are our future and we must protect them by using common sense and not let bill HB-3202 pass. Also if the bill passes Law Enforcement and parents will have their hands full trying to keep the drugs from children. Who ever thought of this bill did not have their head on straight. Vets should be the only people allowed to use the drugs and the drugs should be issued only by a certified license Vet.

Jack Hale Jr.

This letter was e-mailed to all senators and Representatives today. Feel free to use any or all of it when talking to your legislators, clients or staff:

While lay equine tooth floaters advocate their superior dental expertise to the public, their political and legal challenges are based upon "right to work" and allegations that the Oklahoma veterinarians want a monopoly. These arguments are based on economic reasons and not based on the welfare of the horse and its owner. If tooth floaters desired legitimate health care solutions to this issue, they would seek a position within the veterinary profession, which they have rigidly opposed despite repeated attempts by the OVMA and OSB of VME to compromise and include them. Their own legal testimony clearly admits to their breaking of state laws, that they have no desire to pursue professional education and validation and they do not desire to be associated with veterinarians or regulated by anyone. Even as they claim to provide a vital role in health care delivery to the horse industry, their rogue, lawless behavior and disdain for professional oversight places all of Oklahoma's animals at a seriously increased health risk. Why would Oklahomans want to turn their backs on a Veterinary care and education system that has been finely tuned for over one hundred years and return to the archaic and barbaric practices that existed prior to statehood?"

G. David McCarroll

A few years ago a friend of mine who had used a lay tooth floater told me that her horse was severely allergic to a sedative called Xylazine. I asked her what made her think so. Her response to me was that her "horse dentist" had injected the drug and this horse immediately fell and had violent seizures. After the reaction was over her "horse dentist" told her never to use this drug again. We know the cause of this was an improperly administered drug. This reaction occurs when Xylazine is inadvertently injected into the carotid artery rather than in the jugular vein. These 1000 plus pound animals begin thrashing violently on the ground and the lay person would not have any idea what to do other than watch until it wears off. It is a miracle this horse didn't beat himself to death or hurt someone who was standing near him. Of course I explained to this person what actually happened and further explained the rest of the story but if this person had not been a friend of mine she would have never known what really happened.

Debbie Reed

I am a horse owner and I only use vets to float their teeth. Long story and rant short, I would not go to a lay person and have them clean my teeth and I would never let a dentist pull or work on my mouth without sedation, so why would I let them treat my horse that way! Also, these lay people have no training on how to handle adverse drug reactions and/or how to treat for overdose. I know they don't and I will not risk my horse's life!!!

Melody Thompson