ASPCA Hosts Second-Annual Equine-Focused Law Enforcement Training

On September 11, 2025, the ASPCA worked with community partners to host our second-annual full-day, equine-focused law enforcement training in Oklahoma. Twenty Oklahoma law enforcement personnel from 13 statewide agencies attended the training. The eight-hour course was certified through the Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education & Training (CLEET) and was held at the ASPCA’s Equine Transition and Adoption Center (ETAC) outside of Oklahoma City.

Attendees participated in sessions that covered a wide range of equine-related topics such as horse handling and behavior, equine medical evaluation and triage, investigation tips, evidence identification and documentation and cruelty laws.

Some attendees had no prior knowledge or experience with equines, so those like Tarin Clinage from Stillwater, Oklahoma, Animal Welfare, found it immensely beneficial.

“Coming into training, I was not familiar with working with horses in any way,” said Tarin. “Through this training, I gained confidence and knowledge about horses as well as knowledge for potential cruelty cases that may come up.”

Tarin found the hands-on portion of the training to be the most helpful.

“I’m a hands-on learner so being walked through how to handle horses in different situations will help me when I’m put into those situations at work if needed,” Tarin told us.

Increasing educational opportunities for law enforcement officials aligns with ASPCA’s holistic approach to improving equine welfare in Oklahoma. Through ETAC, equine owners can access cost-free veterinary care with the goal of keeping their horse safe in a loving home; euthanasia services, if needed; or safe relinquishment options. For horses being relinquished, ETAC provides behavioral and medical rehabilitation before finding the horses adoptive homes.

“The CLEET training strengthens our ability to support horses and people across the state of Oklahoma,” said Tom Persechino, senior director of ETAC. “Our first choice is always to keep the horse safe at home, if that’s possible, which is why we provide cost-free veterinary resources to the community along with safe rehoming options. Educating law enforcement on equine welfare and the resources available from ETAC allows the officers to intervene only when necessary for the horse — not when an owner just needs more options and a little help.”

The ASPCA is planning additional equine law enforcement trainings in Oklahoma. Interested in joining a future training? Sign up now!