In A Promise of Paradise, the quiet fields of Oklahoma become the backdrop for an unexpected moral awakening. Dan Peterson—a Vietnam veteran and retired construction business owner—took up cattle ranching as a retirement project, not fully prepared for the emotional weight it would carry. After sending his first group of cattle to slaughter, he was struck by a deep sense of regret. A powerful encounter with the matriarch of his herd changed everything. Moved by the connection he felt, Dan made a life-altering decision: he would send the rest of his cattle to sanctuaries rather than slaughter.

Director's Statement

Blue-collar-war veteran-ranchers are not your typical animal rescuers, and most people don't think of ranch animals when they think of animal rescue. Dan breaks the mold in so many ways, that's why I knew I had to tell this story. He's eloquent, passionate and understands the importance of sharing his work with the world. In this film, Dan demonstrates that compassion can start with a single thought and turn into a lifestyle. By sending his herd of cattle to sanctuaries rather than slaughter, he shows us how the power of kindness not only changed his life, but the lives of many others.

Category: Documentary, Short, Award Winner.
Themes: Animals, Abuse.

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