Born into a troubled family struggling to survive in a violent New York neighborhood, Eddie Rizzo grew into a young man plagued by addiction and criminal activity. Throughout all the ups and downs of his turbulent life, Eddie maintained a special connection with dogs, especially those who, like him, most people had given up on. Through the process of achieving sobriety, Eddie Rizzo reconnected with his long-time friend, Eddie Lama (who is the subject of our first film, THE WITNESS). Their shared passion for helping people and animals in need led them to found Oasis Sanctuary in upstate New York. There, they combined an animal rescue and wildlife rehabilitation center with a work program for people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.

Sadly, we lost Eddie to cancer in 2004. But his spirit carries on in the lives of the many animals, two-legged and four-legged, that he touched. Investigative footage taken by Eddie Rizzo plays a key role in the story told in PEACEABLE KINGDOM: THE JOURNEY HOME.