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Life on the Farm: Five Kids and a Menagerie of Rescued Animals

Wanting more space for their big family, Natasha and Kirk Hance moved from the city life in Fort Worth to a small farm in Weatherford, Texas. Soon after settling in, their farm became a place for all creatures to call home.

Shelters can be noisy and stressful places for animals. But something special happens when Kitty Snyder, an Atlanta-based musician, walks into DeKalb County Animal Services in Chamblee, Georgia, playing her guitar and singing for the dogs and cats.

Snyder, who’s always had a strong bond with animals, began volunteering at the shelter in 2014. “I rescued my dog 12 years ago,” she says. “Since then, I have been fostering and walking dogs in need of permanent homes and finally found a great local place to volunteer.”

Earlier this year, Tracy Hunton Thompson, the director of LifeLine Animal Project (the shelter’s managing organization), had an idea for Snyder, based on a viral video she’d seen of Chad Olds, an animal service officer and musician in North Carolina who plays at the shelter where he works. “She asked if I could bring my guitar and play for the animals, to see if it would help calm them,” Snyder says.

And it did. Snyder’s gigs at the shelter last for up to an hour. She says some animals lie down and relax. Others lean toward her, fixing their gaze on her as she serenades them. She’ll move from cage to cage, so each animal feels as if it’s getting personal attention. Now, many recognize her when she arrives.

“For me, this is all about having a connection with these animals,” Snyder says. “I want to help ease their loneliness and give them something fun or relaxing to do while they’re waiting for their forever families.”

The animals aren’t the only ones benefiting from these singing sessions—Snyder says her heart is fulfilled. “I’ve started bringing my six-year-old daughter along so she can see that the littlest things make a difference.”

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As soon as they were able to put up a fence, the Hances rescued two goats. The kids were immediately taken by them. By the end of one week they added five more to the herd.

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As soon as they were able to put up a fence, the Hances rescued two goats. The kids were immediately taken by them. By the end of one week they added five more to the herd.


Natasha was worried about how the kids would adjust after leaving their city neighborhood they’d lived in for 14 years. Caring for the animals brought happiness. 'It felt so good to see them loving their new farm life,' she said.

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Natasha was worried about how the kids would adjust after leaving their city neighborhood they’d lived in for 14 years. Caring for the animals brought happiness. “It felt so good to see them loving their new farm life,” she said.

The family didn’t expect to rescue horses so soon after moving, but when Natasha and Kirk saw a mare, Cody, and pony, Tobias, on an auction website that listed many mistreated horses, they immediately welcomed the two to their farm.

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The family didn’t expect to rescue horses so soon after moving, but when Natasha and Kirk saw a mare, Cody, and pony, Tobias, on an auction website that listed many mistreated horses, they immediately welcomed the two to their farm.


It took a few days for Tobias to warm up. He had been abused and had scars all over his body. When Kirk got down on his knees and sat with the pony for a while, Tobias slowly made his way over and rested his head on Kirk’s shoulder. Trust was building.

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It took a few days for Tobias to warm up. He had been abused and had scars all over his body. When Kirk got down on his knees and sat with the pony for a while, Tobias slowly made his way over and rested his head on Kirk’s shoulder. Trust was building.


Natasha and Kirk hope that by learning to care for these animals, their kids will appreciate them while feeling a sense of accomplishment. 'There needs to be more compassion for life,' says Kirk.

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Natasha and Kirk hope that by learning to care for these animals, their kids will appreciate them while feeling a sense of accomplishment. “There needs to be more compassion for life,” says Kirk.


There’s still plenty of work to do on the farm, but when the main pasture is fenced in, the Hances hope to rescue more horses and ponies.

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There’s still plenty of work to do on the farm, but when the main pasture is fenced in, the Hances hope to rescue more horses and ponies.


Natasha says the kids choose to spend time with the animals. She loves sitting outside, watching them connect with these creatures God has brought their way.

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Natasha says the kids choose to spend time with the animals. She loves sitting outside, watching them connect with these creatures God has brought their way.

They would love to build the farm into a true rescue and be able to find homes for animals. Natasha, a birth-and-newborn photographer, feels like she was meant to be with these creatures in need of love.

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They would love to build the farm into a true rescue and be able to find homes for animals. Natasha, a birth-and-newborn photographer, feels like she was meant to be with these creatures in need of love.


Kirk, a locomotive engineer, says it takes a lot of time and patience to care for these animals. He’s hoping more people will seek out rescue organizations when looking to adopt an animal.

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Kirk, a locomotive engineer, says it takes a lot of time and patience to care for these animals. He’s hoping more people will seek out rescue organizations when looking to adopt an animal.


When they found Cody online, Kirk says he had no idea unwanted horses were being slaughtered for meat. He knew they had to save this mare.

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When they found Cody online, Kirk says he had no idea unwanted horses were being slaughtered for meat. He knew they had to save this mare.


At first, Natasha was worried about their farm growing too fast. But she has a feeling it will work out. 'God will show us the way.'

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At first, Natasha was worried about their farm growing too fast. But she has a feeling it will work out. “God will show us the way.”

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