In their own time and space
Sarah, Tom, Jenson and Reco
19/12/2025
Story
Sarah and Tom do everything to support their son, Jenson, in a world that often felt too overwhelming for him. Jenson is autistic and happiest in the safety of home, often finding unfamiliar places and sensory overload incredibly stressful.
"Trains and Warwick Castle are his thing," Sarah says. "Getting him outside that bubble was hard."
During the Covid pandemic, life became especially intense. Jenson was delayed in going to pre-school by a year and it was an incredibly tough period for Sarah and Tom. Sarah was working full-time throughout the pandemic whilst caring for a toddler who struggled to communicate. "Thank goodness it was a beautiful summer, and we could be outside a lot of the time," she reflects. "Most days I worked around Jenson, then worked into the small hours while he slept; often working from 10pm to 4am." Somehow, Sarah survived on two to three hours' sleep a night while Tom worked shifts and equally unsociable hours, leaving both parents exhausted and isolated.
"We can't quantify how much this means to us. We are so thankful to every member of staff and every volunteer who helped shape Reco into the dog he is today. They've all played a vital role in a journey that has changed our lives."
- Sarah, mum to Jenson
Things finally began to improve when Jenson started pre-school and the family connected with the Bicester Autism Group. With the help of pre-school manager Jackie, Jenson's key worker Cath, and Bicester Autism Group – the family had found a much-needed network of local support to help them navigate Jenson's needs.
Tom also spotted information about autism assistance dogs and Dogs for Good. They'd never considered an assistance dog before and Sarah, ever the practical one, needed to weigh up the realities: training, commitment and whether it might disrupt, rather than help, their son's world. But with support from Sarah's employer, they decided to take the leap.
When Dogs for Good identified a match, they learned Reco preferred company whilst sleeping. "That was the least of our worries," Sarah laughs. Their hopes centred on safety, confidence and connection; a dog who could help Jenson feel secure enough to take on the world beyond home.
Their greatest hope was that Reco would help with road safety, as Jenson could experience a sense of overload and could run off without understanding the dangers. They also hoped caring for a dog would give Jenson small responsibilities and, most importantly, help build his confidence and willingness to try new things.
What they hadn't anticipated was the upheaval that Reco's arrival would initially cause. "Jenson was excited, but this house is his world. We live in that world and must try to think how he thinks. We hadn't really considered how much bringing a dog into his world would disrupt it." When Reco first arrived, Jenson refused to be in a room with him and literally spent the first week avoiding being anywhere near him.
"We wanted to get things right for Jenson, and of course make sure Reco was ok too. Katie, our instructor, was so patient and supportive of us, nothing was ever too much trouble, and she took everything at our pace, reassuring us every step of the way."
Sarah talks fondly about Dogs for Good and how much help and support the whole family received throughout the process of being matched with Reco and particularly in those difficult early days when he first arrived.
"We wanted to get things right for Jenson, and of course make sure Reco was ok too. Katie, our instructor, was so patient and supportive of us, nothing was ever too much trouble, and she took everything at our pace, reassuring us every step of the way. Nothing surprised her as she clearly has so much expertise and she was so reassuring. She even advised us to construct a makeshift suitable area in the lounge so that Jenson would feel safe in his own space."
And then, just two weeks later, something shifted. When Jenson's grandparents visited, he proudly wanted to show them "how lovely and gentle Reco was", particularly because his grandma was nervous of dogs. From that moment, the first threads of connection began to form.
With gentle steps; training outings, small gifts "chosen" by Reco (a top tip from Katie) and plenty of reassurance, the relationship between Jenson and Reco began to deepen. Importantly and on Katie's advice, everything was taken at Jenson's pace.
When Tom later discovered the Māori word for autism, takiwātanga, meaning "in their own time and space", it resonated deeply. So much so, it became the family's mantra.
"Reco has become the heartbeat of our family and we couldn't think of a more perfect dog for us."
"Jenson is a cheeky little boy with a huge personality and lots of energy and Reco is just as cheeky, so they are a perfect match for each other."
A few months later, the transformation felt nothing short of remarkable. The world that once felt closed off to Jenson was slowly widening:
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School drop-offs became routine rather than battles
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Family meals out became enjoyable, not overwhelming
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Jenson began chatting to people on the way to school
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Trips to the cinema and walks to the shops felt manageable
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A father-son outing to Tom's beloved Oxford United to watch a training session
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Jenson even stood beside his mum in front of more than 50 people at a Dogs for Good open morning while Sarah shared their inspirational story
The family have also travelled to America for a wedding, something they didn't believe would ever be possible. Jenson was heartbroken to leave Reco behind but volunteers caring for Reco kept communication going between them to reassure Jenson and help keep the pairs strong bond.
Sarah says: "Jenson is a cheeky little boy with a huge personality and lots of energy and Reco is just as cheeky, so they are the perfect match for each other. I can't imagine another dog being as well-suited to him. And when they're both exhausted, they will simply cuddle up on the sofa together and just enjoy being calm together.
"Reco has become the heartbeat of our family and we couldn't think of a more perfect dog for us." His presence has helped Jenson push gently but bravely against the limits the world once placed on him. The everyday moments: walking to school, saying hello to others, joining family outings have all become extraordinary milestones.
And none of it happened overnight. It happened in Jenson's time and Jenson's space. With patience, teamwork, trust and Dogs for Good's understanding of both dogs and autism, Jenson and Reco have redefined what is possible for their family.
Sarah reflects on the journey with deep gratitude. "We can't quantify how much this means to us. We are so thankful to every member of staff and every volunteer who helped shape Reco into the dog he is today. They've all played a vital role in a journey that has changed our lives."
With things feeling much more settled now, Sarah is hopeful for a calm and joyful festive period; time spent together as a family of four, filled with laughter, love, sofa snuggles, and maybe a few more adventures, with Jenson and Reco right at the heart of it all.
Dogs like Reco open doors, they connect people, and they help keep families together.
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