Photo credit: Hannah King

When Sullivan County Farm Bureau member Hannah Blankenship’s father, Barry King, saw black vultures flying above his Blountville farm on a cold April evening in 2022, he knew something was wrong.

See more: Success of a Family Farm Takes Many Hands and Commitment

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He went out to check on his cows and was surprised to find a lifeless baby calf nearly frozen to death. Without hesitation, he brought the calf home, where the family warmed him up, cared for him and named him Hank. When they took Hank in for a checkup, the vet confirmed he had been born three months earlier than he should have, weighing just 25 pounds.

Photo credit: Hannah King

Thanks to the Kings’ continued care and bottle feedings, Hank now weighs in at 1,100 pounds. While he’s still small compared to other cows on the farm, Hank has a special place in the family. He knows his name, comes running when he hears the family’s voices and loves going on walks, being brushed and playing with his big red ball.

The Kings think of Hank as their “big teddy bear” and love sharing his inspiring story for others to enjoy. He has even become a hometown star, appearing on the local news in Blountville where they shared the story of his miraculous recovery with viewers.