AQHYA Announces Dr. Temple Grandin as 2026 Youth Excellence Seminar Keynote Speaker
Influential animal behavior expert and advocate for neurodiversity to keynote AQHA’s premier youth leadership event.
Photo courtesy of AQHA.
From AQHA:
Dr. Temple Grandin is a professor of animal science at Colorado State University and one of the most influential voices in animal behavior and livestock handling.
Grandin is also a leading advocate for autism awareness. Diagnosed with autism as a child, she uses her experiences to promote understanding of neurodiversity and different ways of thinking through her writing, speaking and outreach.
She is the author of numerous books on animal behavior, autism and livestock handling, including works focused on developing career skills and understanding how different minds approach challenges. Her contributions have earned international recognition, including being named to Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Through her continued research, writing and speaking, Grandin remains a powerful advocate for improving animal welfare and inspiring the next generation of leaders in agriculture.
Grandin was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in September 2017, in 2022 was named a Colorado State University Distinguished Professor, and in 2023 was inducted into the Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame.
For more information about the 2026 Youth Excellence Seminar, and to register by June 1, visit www.aqha.com/yes. Learn more about the American Quarter Horse Youth Association at www.aqha.com/youth.
