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BEFORE THE ARKANSAS BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH

NOTICE OF HEARING

The Arkansas Board of Animal Health (Board) will conduct a hearing to determine whether Mark Lawrence, DVM, violated the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Practice Act (the Act), Ark. Code Ann.§ 17-101-101, et seq., veterinary medicine rules, 17 CAR§ 1-101, et seq., or any Arkansas law related to the practice of veterinary medicine. The hearing will be held on January 21, 2026, beginning at 9:00 a.m., at the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Board Room, I Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205.

Ark. Code Ann.§ 17-101-203 and 17 CAR§ 1-110 grant to the Board the legal authority and jurisdiction to investigate complaints related to the practice of veterinary medicine and conduct hearings regarding violations of the Act and veterinary medicine rules.

The matters of fact and law asserted as the basis for the hearing against Dr. Lawrence are as follows:

1. On January 6, 2025, the Department of Agriculture (Department) received a complaint against Dr. Mark Lawrence from Eric and Elizabeth Newberry of Paragould, Arkansas, regarding the improper diagnosis and treatment of their pet Labrador retriever, Delta.
2. The complaint alleged that while in the care of Lance Vines, owner of Duck Band Retrievers, Inc., Delta became pregnant, and was treated Dr. Lawrence at the Woodsprings Animal Clinic. According to the complaint, Dr. Lawrence administered prescription-only medication to terminate Delta’s nearly full-term pregnancy without obtaining the Newberry’s consent. Delta developed pyometra because of the “extra-label use” of abortion-inducing medication but was not properly diagnosed with or treated for pyometra. Delta died while in the care of Woodsprings Animal Clinic.
3. The Department investigated the complaint and obtained a written response from Dr. Lawrence regarding the complaint and records of Delta’s treatment.
4. On July 9, 2025, the Veterinary Medical Examining Committee (Committee) reviewed the complaint and the Department’s investigation file, and it made a recommendation to the Board to find that Dr. Lawrence:
   • Improperly diagnosed Delta based on previous treatment and history in violation of Ark. Code Ann.§§ 17-101-305(a)(5) and (7);
   • Failed to establish a proper veterinarian-client-patient relationship (”VCPR”) prior to prescribing certain medication in violation of Ark. Code Ann. §§ 17-101- 305(a)(ll) and (14) and 17 CAR§§ l-106(f)(l) and 113(d); and
   • Failed to verify ownership of the patient prior to treatment in violation of Ark. Code Ann. §§ 17-101-305(a)(5), (7), (11), and (14)-(15) and 17 CAR§§ l-106(f)(l) and 113(d).
5. Dr. Lawrence requested a hearing before the Board on the allegations raised in the complaint.

The hearing will be conducted under the Administrative Procedures Act, Ark. Code Ann. § 25-15- 201, et seq., and the Board will hear testimony and evidence related to complaint number 2025- 03.The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether Dr. Lawrence violated Arkansas law.

For any questions, contact the Arkansas Department of Agriculture by phone at (501) 225-1598, email at [email protected], or in writing to 1 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205.