By Scout Nelson
A packed auditorium at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Hardin Hall gathered on March 13 to celebrate Temple Grandin, a pioneering animal scientist and autism advocate, through a screening of the documentary An Open Door. The film highlights Grandin’s contributions to understanding animal behavior and her influence on young people with autism.
Through archival footage and interviews, the documentary showcases Grandin’s journey from a misunderstood teenager in the 1950s to a respected scientist and mentor. Facing challenges due to autism, she overcame obstacles to become a leader in animal behavior research and a source of inspiration for many.
"When I was younger, I used to look for great mysterious meanings of life,” said Grandin, a professor of animal science at Colorado State University. “When I've gotten older, I thought the most important thing is doing something real to make something better."
“When I applied to grad school, I thought Temple wouldn't be able fully to understand my challenge as a single mom, but I couldn't have had a better mentor,” said Ruth Woiwode, an assistant professor of animal science at Nebraska, one of her mentees. “She took the time to get to know me and my specific situation, and that has informed my mentorship today.”
The documentary illustrates Grandin’s innovative approach to animal science, focusing on observing environments from the animals’ perspective. By identifying stress factors in cattle handling facilities—such as shadows or unexpected objects—Grandin revolutionized livestock management. Today, nearly half of U.S. cattle are processed in facilities designed based on her insights.
During the Q&A session, Grandin discussed her realization of being a visual thinker, a concept she explored in her book Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions. She emphasized the importance of hands-on learning for students with special needs, encouraging educational approaches that align with diverse cognitive styles.
The documentary also showcases Grandin’s interactions with autistic children, demonstrating how structured environments, like equine therapy, can be beneficial. An Open Door has been featured in over 60 film festivals and will be available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV+ this fall.
Woiwode, continuing Grandin’s work, researches cattle handling systems at Nebraska’s Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center. She believes there is still much to uncover about animal behavior, reinforcing Grandin’s legacy of discovery and improvement.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: Nebraska, Education, Livestock, Dairy Cattle