Temple Grandin writes in her latest book Animals Make Us Human – “I am worried about whether we will always have a Jane Goodall”. Well, I am worried we won’t always have Temple Grandin.
Dr. Temple Grandin is a rare breed, a sensitive scientist who doesn’t just theorize about ways to alleviate animal suffering, but she actually creates tangible solutions to the problems facing many animals.
She remains an enigma in the animal rights’ world, and even in the scientific community, for her unorthodox approach to animal research. A high functioning autistic, Grandin has made a career of doing things differently. Her latest book is no exception.
In Animals Make Us Human: Creating The Best Life For Animals, Temple Grandin and co-writer Catherine Johnson explore, as the title suggests, how to create a good quality of life for animals.
Focusing on the emotional needs that all animals share, Grandin argues that we need to stimulate their positive feelings – seeking and play – while ensuring that they’re free from the negative ones – fear, panic and rage.
Unfortunately, many animals live in a constant state of fear, panic and rage. Think of a lion pacing in a zoo, a dog left home alone all day or an animal confined in unpleasant conditions at a factory farm.
“I believe the best way to create good living conditions for any animal, whether it is a captive animal living in a zoo, a farm animal, or a pet, is to base good animal welfare programs on the core emotional systems in the brain,” explains Grandin.
Although the best-case scenario is when animals have the ability to act as naturally as possible. “If you can’t give an animal the freedom to act naturally, then you should think about how to satisfy the emotion that motivates the behaviour by giving the animal other things to do. Focus on the emotion not the behaviour,” she explains.
Grandin’s core theory is based on the animal emotions as outlined by neuroscientist Dr. Jaak Panksepp; seeking (chasing, looking, finding, curiosity), rage (from restraint, attack or pain), fear (the same as with humans), panic (the same as with a human), lust (sex and sexual desire), care (maternal love and caretaking) and play (a sign of good welfare).
“Taken together, these seven emotions…explain why some environments are good for animals (and people) and others are bad. In a good environment you have healthy brain development and few behaviour issues,” explains Grandin.
Animals Make Us Human is divided into chapters addressing the emotional needs of various domestic and wild animals; Dogs, Cats, Horses, Cows, Pigs, Chickens and Other Poultry, Wildlife and Zoos.
In each chapter, Grandin explains the emotional needs of the various animals and almost all of her behaviour findings are contrary to normalized animal caretaking and husbandry.
For example, cats are not solitary creatures that enjoy being left alone for long periods of time. Dogs don’t need an alpha, in fact they need parents not pack leaders.
“What dogs probably need isn’t a substitute pack leader but a substitute parent. I say that because genetically dogs are juvenile wolves, and young wolves like being with their parents and siblings,” explains Grandin.
Cows form close relationships, particularly between sisters, mothers and daughters. Herd animals make decisions about movement democratically. In fact, red deer move when 62% of the herd has stood up, not when one ‘leader deer’ has gotten up and signalled everyone should move, she explains.
Pigs are highly curious animals, and in order to remain mentally calm, they need to have something to do with their minds and snouts. Pigs are also extremely social and very affectionate. Yet how pigs, and other animals, are raised and managed in factory farms does nothing to promote their normal behaviours and instead actives the negative emotions of rear, panic and rage in animals.
Grandin writes in detail about the problems evidenced in raising, transporting and slaughtering animals in factory farm conditions The emphasis is put on controlling the animals physically, where efforts to manage the animals mentally are non-existent or nil.
However, even though Animals Make Us Human is written for the layperson, there are enough explanations and suggestions contained within the text to potentially help every person who is in contact with animals understand their behaviour a bit better which will subsequently alleviate animal suffering and make their jobs easier.
Grandin concludes by writing that our relationship with animals we use for food must be symbiotic. “Symbiosis is a mutually beneficial relationship between two different living beings,” she writes. Her explanation can be extended to all animals. If humans use animals for pleasure companionship, experiment or food, animals should be treated in manner befitting the symbiotic relationship.
Every person who has dominion over an animal should be obligated to read Animals Make Us Human. A stunning insight into the complex emotional needs of animals by one of the world’s foremost scientists and animal activists.
Order this book on Amazon.com - Animals Make Us Human
Visit: http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books
342 Pages
GreenMuze.com Rating: 
As for animals we love in our own homes, I can walk down any street and hear dogs in high stress, barking and whining, locked in a garage or home all day long, everyday. This is abuse, plain and simple.
Look for ways to help our domestic friends. Look around your area and volunteer. Take a shelter dog out for a walk. Or use your imagination for ways to ease suffering.
I believe Temple Grandin neither wants nor needs a "flock". She too busy trying to make the world a bit better as it is, not as we would like it to be.
written by Lynda M. , April 12, 2010
written by Rene , March 14, 2011
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written by Bruce Gelman , February 24, 2010