On November 22, the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences hosted Dr. Temple Grandin at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine for a dinner and lecture. Dr. Grandin is a prominent author, speaker, livestock-handling equipment designer, and advocate for animal welfare and autism awareness. Approximately 100 veterinary students, technicians, and faculty attended the lecture, many of whom grew up reading Dr. Grandin’s books.
Dr. Grandin engaged her audience with informal questions and answers throughout the lecture. She then met and spoke with each attendee after the lecture, took photos, and signed copies of her books.
Students who attended Dr. Grandin’s lecture provided their written feedback, which showcased Dr. Grandin’s influence on their career and personal goals, and the importance of animal welfare in veterinary education and practice.
“Once in a lifetime chance to meet and hear one of the nation’s top animal welfare scientists.”
—Sarah Patrias, class of 2020, interested in emergency medicine
“I admire her involvement in animal welfare. I respect the hardships she had to endure being a woman in a previously male-dominated field. In addition, her progressive work with autism speaks close to my heart!”
—Elizabeth Woodworth, class of 2018, interested in general practice and emergency
“Dr. Temple Grandin has changed the views about how we handle animals. How could I miss an opportunity to see someone who has been so influential in the industry I want to be a part of?”
—Katy Kesler, class of 2020, interested in large/food animal medicine
“Her insight into animal welfare can be applied to all animals. Should I choose to go into any professional area of veterinary medicine, her work is applicable and will allow me to treat my patients with their welfare at the forefront.”
—Lauren Van Dyken, class of 2020
“Understanding how you can come up with good, objective scoring methods for welfare of a variety of animals in a variety of settings.”
—Holly Drankhan, class of 2019