American Humane Association Awards National Humanitarian Medal to Temple Grandin for Pioneering Efforts that Reshaped Animal Welfare and Livestock Industry

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- American Humane Association awarded its prestigious National Humanitarian Medal to Temple Grandin, Ph.D. last night at a gala celebration in Fort Worth, Texas. Dr. Grandin, whose life was depicted in a 2010 Emmy Award-winning HBO movie, is widely recognized within the animal welfare and livestock-handling industries as a pioneer in the humane treatment of animals. Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane Association, and Anthony Edwards, star of the long-running hit TV series "ER" and executive producer of the HBO movie "Temple Grandin," presented the award.

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Dr. Grandin is the best-selling author of "Thinking in Pictures," "Animals Make Us Human," "Animals in Translation" and "Humane Livestock Handling." In 2010, Time magazine named her one of the "100 people who most affect our world." She was honored in the Heroes category for being an inspiration to people with autism, as well as for her groundbreaking work designing livestock-handling systems that reduce stress on animals.

"American Humane Association is proud to award Dr. Grandin our National Humanitarian Medal for her inspirational work and her lifelong dedication to animal welfare," said Robin R. Ganzert, Ph.D., American Humane Association president and CEO. "Back in 1877, the first issue that American Humane Association addressed was the welfare of farm animals, and in the past decade we created the first farm animal welfare certification program in the U.S. — the American Humane Certified program™. We appreciate the advances in humane treatment that Dr. Grandin has contributed — for the benefit of millions of animals — as well as her invaluable work as a member of our farm animal program's Scientific Advisory Committee."

The National Humanitarian Medal gala drew a wide variety of national and area celebrities and VIPs, including Ed Shipman, Matt Brockman, who read a special message from "cowboy poet" Baxter Black, former U.S. Congressman Charles Stenholm, and Tara Harper, co-founder of the Dallas-based animal rescue group Paws in the City and star of Bravo's new series, "Most Eligible Dallas."

About Temple Grandin

Dr. Grandin is a professor of animal science at Colorado State University, a world-renowned consultant and designer of livestock handling facilities, a best-selling author, and a much sought-after speaker. Dr. Grandin became successful through her unique connection to animals. She has received numerous awards and recognition for her work in animal science and the humane treatment of animals. Her inspirational life story was the subject of an award-winning HBO original film, "Temple Grandin," starring Claire Danes.

About American Humane Association

Since 1877, American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting children, pets and farm animals from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today they're also leading the way in understanding the human-animal bond and its role in therapy, medicine and society. American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. More information is available at www.americanhumane.org .

SOURCE American Humane Association

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