Robert "R.K." Anderson, a revolutionary animal behaviorist, founder of the Animal Behavior Resources Institute, and co-inventor of the Gentle Leader headcollar and Easy Walk harness, died October 18, 2012. Read his obituary in Veterinary Practice News.
I have known R.K. for so long that I can't remember how we first met. He was retired—sort of—but always up to his elbows in new projects, all having to do with behavior and betterment of the lives of animals, and of us people, too, while he was at it. At APDT, at veterinary conferences, at scientific meetings, at ClickerExpo, year after year, I relished many a merry dinner gathering with R.K. and a happy cluster of his fans and friends. He shared his contacts and helped us fill the seats at one of the first ClickerExpos, held in Minneapolis. R.K. hooked us all on Gentle Leaders and I've used them ever since. He talked me into giving speeches I hadn't planned to give, and going places I didn't have time to go to—and it was always a great idea and I was always glad I'd said yes.
I will miss answering the phone and hearing "R.K. Anderson here," and then learning about another new and good idea.
I'd like to share some comments from other clicker trainers who cherished R.K:
Dr. Robert "R.K." Anderson
Credit: University of Minnesota
It is a very sad time, as R.K. was always there whenever I needed a voice of reason. He always encouraged me to educate with respect even in the face of controversy. I could pick up the phone, call him, and say "hey I need a pep talk today." I would hang up full of courage and excitement that we were changing the world! I'll miss that very much.
So I'm going to honor him by being the best student I can. Let the studying begin!!!—Michelle Mullins CPDT-KA
He made a BIG difference for all of us, was a constant cheerleader for everyone wanting to make life better for people and pets. Toast him with your next margarita—his favorite drink—and say, "Thanks R.K." next time you use a Gentle Leader.—Ben
I truly would not be on this list writing today were it not for R.K. Anderson. A longtime volunteer at our humane society, in 1995 I wandered in to volunteer with the new Good Puppy Social Club that R.K had put together for our shelter. I then had the privilege of working with him and the veterinary behaviorists that followed at the University of Minnesota. In 1999, when my service dog puppy passed away at 5 months from spinal cord disease, he encouraged me to get over to Helping Paws service dogs to teach. Helping Paws was another program founded as a research project at the University by R.K., along with Ruth Foster, his co-inventor of the Gentle Leader. R.K. drove this huge red truck, and seeing one on the road always will remind me of him. We have lost a giant; rest in peace R.K.—Nancy Driver, KPA CTP
Karen Pryor is the founder and CEO of Karen Pryor Clicker Training and Karen Pryor Academy. She is the author of many books, including Don't Shoot the Dog and Reaching the Animal Mind. Learn more about Karen Pryor or read Karen's Letters online.
