Each year millions of pets are relinquished to shelters because of preventable, behavior-related problems. MAF has established the R.K. Anderson Animal Behavior Research Endowment Fund. The fund is intended to advance the science and knowledge of behavior in companion animals so that the quality and duration of their lives can be increased.
In addition, the fund honors the lifetime dedication of Dr. R.K. Anderson to the development of the fields of animal behavior, human animal bond, veterinary epidemiology and preventative medicine.
Dr. Anderson, 85, reflects, "Unwanted behavior is the number one reason for fracture of the human animal bond and our relationships with our pets, resulting in millions of of dogs and cats losing their homes each year. Sadly, many are euthanized. We can't fix it without data. And we need to do research to supply the data."
Contributing the initial $100,000 to this endowment, Dr. Anderson encourages friends of companion animals to help the endowment reach its $5 million goal. Contributions support research to increase knowledge of the interactions of genetics, physiology, environment, and people - and how these factors affect the behavior of companion animals and human-animal relationships.
About Dr. Anderson: Robert K. Anderson, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, DACVB, is a Charter Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, professor emeritus and director of the Center to Study Human Animal Relationships and Environments (CENSHARE), and the Animal Behavior Service and Veterinary Public Health Programs of the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota. Anderson is the co-inventor of the Gentle Leader® head collar and a longtime advocate of preventing behavior problems through early puppy socialization classes. He is the recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards from the ASPCA, American Humane Association, and The Association of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine. As a veterinarian, epidemiologist, veterinary behaviorist, inventor, researcher, author, and favorite professor and mentor, he has influenced the lives of countless professionals and pet owners. He recently established Animal Behavior Resources Institute, Inc., a free, collaborative 501(c)(3) non-profit educational resource for animal behavior professionals and their clients.
Visit ABRIonline.org to learn more about Dr. Anderson's Animal Behavior Resources Institute and to watch behavior videos to help you train your pet.
Click here to Meet the Advisory Committee
Click here to read the Animal Behavior Endowment press release
Click here if you would like to donate to the Animal Behavior Endowment.
