This conversation explores the significant role that animals play in aiding recovery from concussions and other mental health challenges. It discusses various types of support animals, including service animals, therapy animals, and pets, and their unique benefits. Mary-Katherine shares personal experiences and insights on how different animals can provide emotional support, improve mental health, and assist in physical recovery. The conversation also covers considerations for choosing the right animal for therapy and highlights the growing research supporting animal-assisted therapy.

A concussion can be a disruptive and sometimes overwhelming experience, particularly when it comes to navigating recovery and returning to normal daily activities. For school-aged children and teens, managing sensory sensitivities and learning challenges during this period is critical to ensure a successful recovery. Today, we'll dive into the types of accommodations that may be required for students recovering from concussions, focusing on the tools available through 504 Plans and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

Our family’s journey with concussions has taught us so much. It’s been tough, no doubt, but through the challenges, I’ve learned invaluable lessons that I hope will provide comfort, guidance, and a sense of solidarity for families embarking on a similar path.

These lessons are organized into five categories—Expectations, Recovery, Support, Symptoms, and Tools—and are grounded in the lived experience of navigating concussion recovery as a caregiver and parent 10 times.

In their own right, each are separate podcast topics which I will cover individually. Join me for subsequent podcasts covering these topics in detail, capturing the perspectives of the Moms/caregivers, the survivors, and practioners who are creating solutions to accelerate concussion recovery and symptom relief.