Book review: Animals in Translation

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           This was one of the first books that I read that combined multiple areas of interest for me - animals, brain structure and function, behavior, and also learning and learning difficulties... wow. I can actually combine my 'real life' job (education) and my 'dream job' interests and professional development? Wow!

Temple Grandin is a pioneer in the US with manipulating environments to reduce stress on animals, particularly cattle. She researched the animal brain structure, and how that related to their behavior, as well as the sensory input that related to that behavior.  It was particularly relevant for her, as she is autistic. She knew that she perceived the world around her in a different way, and understood how that related to her behavior. By analyzing brain differences, and differences in sensory input and processing she was able to relate that to behaviour. Her early work that really made a difference to the animal industry was in re-designing cattle drenching, and cattle slaughter areas and equipment to significantly reduce stress to the animals.

I think this book is a must-read, not only for those in the animal husbandry industry, but education. It's like the animal related 'The curious incident of the dog in the night-time' insight into the autistic person's brain, and behaviour.