The project began as an idea from art teacher Becky Alter. Penny, at age 14 months. After training, students hope Penny will be paired with a person who is visually impaired and in need of Penny's guidance. Penny's days are spent at Rayburn. Penny was born in Sue Nation's second-grade classroom in Austin, Texas.
Nation is a breeder of golden retrievers.
Each year she brings a pregnant retriever into her classroom for several weeks before the new puppies are born. They also write about mama in their journals. The kids are there when mother gives birth and, in the weeks ahead, they record in their journals daily observations of the puppies' development. Meanwhile, about 90 miles away in Bryan, excitement was building. The students at Sam Rayburn were eagerly awaiting news of their puppy's birth.