he American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has announced that Dr. Temple Grandin, one of the most influential figures in livestock welfare, will receive the 2025 AVMA Humane Award and appear as a featured speaker at this year’s AVMA Convention in Washington, D.C., taking place July 18–22.
A professor of animal sciences at Colorado State University, Dr. Grandin is globally renowned for revolutionizing the handling of livestock, including pigs, through her science-based, humane approaches. Her center track restrainer system—now a standard in beef plants—helped set the tone for how food animals are handled across species, including swine.
Grandin’s influence in pork production is deep and lasting. Her animal welfare auditing systems, developed in the 1990s, were widely adopted by the USDA and major processors and packers. McDonald’s, for example, used her protocols to transform its supply chain in the early 2000s, requiring humane handling standards that drove widespread industry compliance—including in the pork sector.
Her legacy includes more than 35 years of work that have improved how millions of animals are treated on farms and in processing facilities. Her advocacy helped move the swine industry forward through more thoughtful designs and procedures that reduce stress and improve animal welfare outcomes.
Diagnosed with autism at an early age, Grandin’s visual thinking style gave her a unique window into animal perception—an insight she used to redesign livestock facilities from the animal’s point of view. Her groundbreaking contributions have earned her global recognition, including honors from Time magazine, USA Today, and the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
“Dr. Grandin’s work has changed how we care for and handle livestock, from farm to processing,” said Dr. Sandra Faeh, AVMA President. “She’s a true pioneer whose contributions continue to shape the future of animal agriculture.”
She has authored numerous books and scientific publications and remains a key figure in industry conversations around humane handling, euthanasia, depopulation, and slaughter—all critical areas for swine producers navigating growing public expectations and evolving regulations.
For pork professionals interested in hearing directly from Dr. Grandin, she will be speaking and receiving her award at the AVMA Convention 2025 in Washington, D.C. More details are available at: www.avma.org/events/avma-convention.
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