Temple Grandin: On Calming Down Animals.

Jason sent me this link to a talk at Cornell by Temple Grandin.

Prof. Temple Grandin is the subject of an HBO film, an accomplished scientist, a renowned animal welfare advocate and a prominent autistic professor. But last night, in her last lecture as Cornell’s Frank H.T. Rhodes Class of ’56 Professor, she focused on the causes and solutions to animal behavioral problems.

Staying calm: Prof. Temple Grandin gives her final lecture as Cornell’s Frank H.T. Rhodes Class of ’56 Professor, titled “Animal Behavior and Welfare,” at Call Auditorium in Kennedy Hall yesterday. - By: Jaser FaruqOne of the best ways to alleviate behavior problems — which account for half of all cases where animals are given up or abandoned — is to keep animals calm, Grandin said.

“A calm animal is easier to handle, and when they get uncalm, it’s usually because they’re getting scared,” she said. “If you get an animal scared, it’s going to take half an hour to get it to calm down.”

My brother, Scott, tells me that in his own work with the State of Texas, he's met Temple Grandin on several occasions.

And, tomorrow, Michael and I are going to get him a new kitten. His beloved Jett finally passed away, and Gregory, the remaining cat, needs a companion. Kittens! I'm gonna get to go play with kittens!

That reminds me about tomorrow night when I'm going to be singing for Animal Night at North Hollywood's Kulak's Woodshed, which you can view online. It starts at 8pm, PCT which is 11pm EST.