Ruth Van Keuren
 

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On August 19^th 2003, we lost a true agility pioneer and friend when Ruth Van Keuren passed away after a valiant 38-month battle with Pancreatic Cancer at the age of 64.

 Her friends and students describe Ruth as supportive, focused, giving, thoughtful, gutsy, loyal, determined, “silently” competitive and as a role model. This latter description – that of role model, is Ruth’s true legacy.

Ruth was indeed loyal, being married to the same wonderful man for 44 years – Dick Van Keuren.  They raised their three children: Mike, Steve and Deb in River Falls, Wisconsin.

  In the 1980's, Ruth began teaching obedience classes in western WI.  Her thirst for knowledge on dog behavior led her to several behavior seminars.  The clicker seminars offered by Susan Garrett offered the greatest influence on her training and greatly enhanced her understanding of dog behavior. In the late 80's she also attended an agility training seminar put on by Ken Tatsch with guest instructor, Peter Lewis that proved to be influential as well.

  She immersed herself in learning the rules of agility and attended seminars to learn to properly train it. Her “always involved” husband Dick built agility equipment for her.  For Ruth, it was a smooth transition from teaching obedience at her school and the youth in 4-H, to teaching and putting on Agility shows and bringing in top handlers to do agility seminars.       

In the late 1980’s, Ruth became one of the first supporters of the “new” organization called USDAA, which was introducing the sport of dog agility to the United States. She became especially active in promoting the sport in Minnesota and Wisconsin. She was also one of the founding members of MAC (Minnesota Agility Club), which presently has over 130 members and holds annual AKC, NADAC and USDAA shows.

  4-H was very important to Ruth. She had worked for many years with the 4-H youth in Pierce County, teaching obedience.  She was struck by the number of youth who left the program after a year or two, especially the boys and decided to put together a pilot agility program.  It was a success!  She presented her program to Ken Tatsch at USDAA.  Ken agreed it was possible, so Ruth and two others worked with Ken to design and promote the UJHP, USDAA’s Junior Handler Program.  In Ken’s words, “Ruth was instrumental to the development of the Junior Handler Program and was the coordinator for the Junior Handler National Showcase up to the Nationals in 2000 held in Del Mar, CA”.

One good friend reminisces about Ruth’s dedication to the 4-H agility program in Minnesota and how instrumental Ruth was as both a mentor and friend. She appreciates that Ruth always included the 4-H kids and leaders at a reduced rate and even free when possible in the Agility seminars she hosted. She also adds that Ruth was an inspiration for her in her own goal to become a Judge.

In June of 1993 the first Junior classes in the country were offered in conjunction with MAC’s agility show in Lake Elmo.  Of course it was Ruth’s baby!  To understand how good this program is, there are several State 4-H programs around the country that have adopted it including Minnesota.

Also in 1993, Ruth realized there was a need for training manuals for trainers who had no agility experience and limited dog training experience.  She wrote a 71-page manual that was revised in 2002 with the help of agility friend, Bud Houston.  It remains available and is still used across the country.

  In those early years, Ruth also became a USDAA judge; later adding certification as an AKC judge.  She loved all aspects of judging and wanted to give something back to the sport. She loved the challenge of designing courses; watching dogs compete on them; and as always, learning from watching the different handlers negotiate their way through her courses.

  In 1997 Ruth and Dick built their present school Canine Sports and Training, in River Falls, WI. Her friend Jan supported, encouraged and helped her a lot – even teaching many of the Obedience classes; allowing Ruth to concentrate on Agility.

  Some of Ruth’s other accomplishments in Agility include, being the first in Wisconsin to complete the prestigious ADCh with her Miniature Schnauzer, “Sara”. She learned much from this and was such a great instructor that shortly after her achievement, one of her students, Bonnie Griep followed suit by being the first in Minnesota to attain the same title. Along with a number of her students, Ruth and her Mini-Schnauzer “Kelly” whizzed through their ADCh’s!  And in a very proud moment, laced with tears and cheers, Ruth and Kelly completed their MACh title on March 3, 2002.  Much to everyone’s pleasure, Dick continues to show Kelly very successfully today and they are well on their way to a MACh 2.

In an interview with Jonathon Kurlander, he asked what is most important to remember about handling a dog and Ruth responded: “Be light and be happy, have a positive attitude. Good basic foundation of the sport. Very important to watch people – learn from their mistakes. Know when it’s your mistake or the dog's. People tend to blame it on the dog. Some dogs are bothered by their mistakes, but many are not. People need to be connected with their dog. Off leash the dog has to want to do it.”

Ruth’s greatest passions were her family, (especially her grandsons), her dogs, traveling all over the country with her “dog friends”, setting and achieving goals, learning, lending encouragement and making sure that all kids had a chance to compete at a level they could succeed at and grow from!  She formed close bonds with many of the local youth, but was especially close to the Ridley family.

At the time of this story, it has been less than a year since Ruth passed away. The summer agility season is starting and people are seeing those friendly faces they have not seen since last fall. Sadly, one very important face is missing. It is sometimes difficult to hold back the tears when we see Dick out in the agility ring running his dogs -- they are tears of sadness for Ruth, tears of joy that Dick is still enjoying this crazy sport, but mostly tears of pride because we know that both Ruth and Dick Van Keuren have a special place in all of our hearts and that we are all better people for having known them.

For those who called her friend, I can think of no greater legacy for Ruth than when you see something needs doing; step in and see that it’s done and encourage those we know; especially the youth!  Go out and make Ruth proud!

Contributing writers: Martha Healy, Leona Hellesvig, Jonathon L. Kurlander (see his complete interview with Ruth at www.twincitiesagility.com) and Kelly McFaul-Solem.

Photos: used with permission from Dick Van Keuren and Jonathon L. Kurlander.