SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. -- There's a unique member to the student body at Somerset High School. Thaddeaus is a regular in the hallways and classrooms, the only difference is he has four legs.

Sarah Rankin is in 11th grade and has been training seeing eye dogs for the blind since 2006. Rankin wanted a puppy, but instead she got a rewarding experience of helping others in need.

"We start training them basic commands and teach them how to behave in public," said Rankin. "Then we send them back when they are a year or a year and half old."

Rankin works with Leader Dogs For The Blind out of Rochester, Mich. It's one of the largest guide dog programs in the world. She gets the puppies when they are seven weeks old and she helps them grow into obedient companions who are ready to put on the practice harness and start helping the blind.

With a dog as sweet as Thaddeaus, bonding with him is inevitable, but Rankin knows it is just temporary.

"It's not that bad because they are not your pet and you know you are going to give them away the entire time," said Rankin. "You just hope all your training pays off."

It's this strength and selflessness that sets Rankin apart from other students her age.

"There's a lot of people who couldn't do that and it takes a really strong person to be able to do that," said Somerset High School principal Dr. Mark Gross. "It's such an amazing thing."

Thaddeaus is the fourth dog Rankin has trained and she knows what she is doing. During a mock fighting scene in her Shakespeare class, the dog doesn't move an inch.

Thaddeaus may not get distracted, but what about the students? Gross said when the blue jacket is on, Thaddeaus and his fellow classmates know it's time to work.

"I have to congratulate our students," said Gross. "As adorable as the dog is, we all want to pet it but we have to remind ourselves that it is actually working."