Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals

“What does an animal need to be happy?”

This is the fundamental question at the heart of the book. Grandin advocates for applying the wisdom of neuroscience to animal welfare. She argues that using neuroscience to understand the emotional complexity of animals can allow humans to better treat animals in captivity. She advocates for using these principals in zoos, research settings, and private homes, as well as on farms.

“Emotions come first. You have to go back to the brain to understand animal welfare.”

Many animal welfare practices were traditionally behavior-focused. Particular behaviors were isolated, after which researchers attempted to modify them. Grandin challenges this approach by arguing that emotions are the true drivers of animal behavior. It therefore follows that, in order to modify a particular behavior, the animal’s emotional state must be properly understood and addressed. For example, if anxiety causes gerbils to dig incessantly, then their anxiety must be ameliorated; merely altering the animal’s environment to reduce digging will not help.

“Animals and humans feel fear when their survival is threatened in any way.”

Fear is one of the core emotional systems that drives both human and animal behavior. Understanding an animal’s response to fear can help humans to provide that animal with a better, happier life. If a dog is afraid of strangers, they can be introduced to new people slowly and can be provided with