Bowser's Peace Sanctuary

Bowser’s Peace Sanctuary is a judgment free, safe place to experience, connect, and heal with nature. Here you will find a chance to sit with the spirit that is nature and Mother Earth, and some of her creatures. Our experience is that this connection is vital to well-being, and we are creating a peaceful place where people can experience a guided tour to meet Bowser, the American Black Bear who shares his amazing spirit to help us all contemplate a different perspective. You can also meet, feed, and get lost in the powerful presence of Billy & Bambi the American Bison, as well as several horses, and our wonderful pack of Great Danes.

To make a donation to help us build and improve the peace sanctuary, please visit our GoFundMe site. To help build and improve the Peace Sanctuary, please see our Events page here.

Grand Opening for Peace Sanctuary &  Bowser’s New Pen Celebration

Join us, meet Bowser and celebrate the joy and serenity of our Peace Sanctuary at 34080 Rattlesnake Hill Rd, Tecumseh 74873.

Weather permitting, we host a healing drum circle every Sunday.

Please contact Stanton Pace with questions: bowserdad8@gmail.com

Bowser’s New Pen and News About The Peace Sanctuary

KFOR TV: A Boy, His Bear, and a Peaceful Wood

TECUMSEH, OKLAHOMA — [transcript for KFOR story] Walking his property on an early August morning, Stanton Pace claims he can feel the peace emanate from this little corner of heaven.

“We all have gifts that come into our lives and gifts that come through us,” he says. “So we can step outside ourselves and to see ourselves.”

Of course there are chores to do, especially when you have animals.

The horses get a few cubes of alfalfa, his bison too.

But this morning is a little more special because of another animal that lives on Stanton’s place.

Bowser, his six-year-old black bear has a brand new enclosure, something new and unfamiliar to explore.

Pace says, “He really seems to like walking around and talking to the horses.”

“Will he eventually like all this extra space,” asks a visitor?

“One hundred percent,” replies Stanton, “Probably within two or three days.”

The last time we paid a visit Stanton Pace was doing a lot of wood carving with his live model.

Bowser lived next to where he worked which was fine, but Stanton though his big friend could use more space.

Besides, people seemed to kind of like this large creature.

Maybe it was the novelty of it or something else, but Pace felt it too.

“We like to hold hands and take sunset walks,” he crooned.

“I truly and gladly and gratefully feel an obligation to share him,” he continues.

Over the past few years Pace and Bowser have quietly built up a kind of retreat for lost people.

Stanton counts himself among that number as well.

He thought they needed a retreat to meditate, to get away from their problems.

After all, it’s not the first time somebody ever thought of a place in the woods with a friendly bear as a place that might sound appealing.

Pace says, “As we speak and you mention that I’m recalling the great feelings that go with Winnie the Pooh.”

This version of the ‘Hundred Acre Wood’ is big enough to share just like the book.

Stanton Pace, and Bowser too, it would appear, like it that way.

Bowser’s first full day in his new enclosure was Monday, August 6, 2018.

See Bowser walk into his large new space for the first time:

Like seeing videos of Bowser and the other amazing creatures at the Peace Sanctuary? Subscribe to Bowser’s Peace Sanctuary YouTube channel.

Bowser’s Peace Sanctuary Passes Inspection

Thank you to everyone who has come to help us build and open Bowser’s Peace Sanctuary. We have made so much progress, and so many new friends this summer. We passed inspection and will post plans for the next event very soon. Thank you to everyone who has come to help us build and open Bowser’s Peace Sanctuary. We have made so much progress, and so many new friends this summer. We passed inspection and will celebrate Bowser’s new pen and the official opening of the Peace Sanctuary on September 29.  2 PM

Please contact us at bowserdad8@gmail.com with questions.

Announcements

Just yesterday two close friends reminded me of the quote from Johann Hari:

“So The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety, it’s connection.” 

We are growing “connection” together in so many ways.

We are so grateful to announce that Bowsers Peace Sanctuary has been approved by the IRS

as a legal public charity 501(c)(3)

which means your donations are tax-deductible. 

After last week’s events with the damage and then repairs to Bowser’s pen, we are especially motivated to build a covered meeting place for winter and rainy weather during healing circle, and to work with you as we continue to grow. Last year, many people came together to help build Bowser’s pen and celebrate the opening of the Peace Sanctuary. I invite you to join us at the Peace Sanctuary to experience the serenity and power of nature, and I’d like to ask you to invite your friends and neighbors to support us with tax-deductible donations, community organization partnerships, or by lending a hand however you are inspired to connect.

Show your support: Go Fund Me – Bowser’s Habitat

Recovery Circle & Healing Circle

We now offer a recovery circle (meeting) on Wednesday nights, and we continue our healing circle on Sunday nights.

Spirit Coach Rides

We are so grateful to announce this month’s sponsor for the Shawnee Block Party is Gateway Prevention and Recovery Inc., which be sponsoring free rides in the Spirit Coach on Oct. 18th, Main Street in downtown Shawnee  6-9PM.

We will also be driving the Spirit Coach Saturday, Oct 19th at the Shawnee Flea Market and Trading Post Fall Festival from 9-4. This event has partnered with us to help us raise funds for the Peace Sanctuary, by subsidizing rides, so their shoppers pay only $5 a ride. 

We will have our booth set up at both events and all are welcome to come share time, help with the booth, help with the horses and carriage, and share our message with us at these events.

This has shown me the power of connection: the opposite of addiction.

Thank you, thank you

Fred Gipson, attorney for preparing and filing our non-profit designation

Cindy White, photographer for great photos from Shawnee Block Party Spirit Coach Rides

Haley Humphrey, journalist for helpful and beautiful U Central News video 

Safe Events for Families, for bringing us together for the Shawnee event

Gateway Prevention and Recovery Inc, for sponsoring Spirit Coach rides and Wednesday circle

Doggie Spot, for sponsoring Spirit Coach rides

 peace/love — Stanton Pace

 

Join us, meet Bowser and celebrate the joy and serenity of our Peace Sanctuary.

 

 

 

Sunday Healing Circle  — weekly, weather permitting

 

All are welcome to come and share and release any negative feelings and feel the power of peace in nature.

 

One recent visitor has described her experience at Bowser’s Peace Sanctuary:

“Today I had the rare opportunity to hang out with a full-grown grizzly bear named Bowser. Bowser is owned by Stan Pace, one of the most loving and peaceful people I have ever met. In this moment I was sitting on the ground with Bowser in front of me, and in this moment, I felt peace. Something about the atmosphere and Bowser just worked wonders on me. I felt absolute awe that God allowed me to be put in this moment. {{…I also fed Bowser two pounds of grapes}}”

— Lauren Southerland

 

A Place to Heal with Nature

Bowser’s Peace Sanctuary is a judgment free, safe place to experience, connect, and heal with nature. Here you will find a chance to sit with the spirit that is nature and Mother Earth, and some of her creatures. Our experience is that this connection is vital to well-being, and we are creating a peaceful place where people can experience a guided tour to meet Bowser, the American Black Bear who shares his amazing spirit to help us all contemplate a different perspective. You can also meet, feed, and get lost in the powerful presence of Billy & Bambi the American Bison, as well as several horses, and our wonderful pack of Great Danes.

To make a donation to help us build and improve the peace sanctuary, please visit our GoFundMe site. To help build and improve the Peace Sanctuary, please see our Events page here.

 

Bowser to Get a New Home — Shawnee News-Star

By Adam Ewing | adam.ewing@news-star.com

Posted May 16, 2018 at 9:09 AM

Bowser will be getting a new home soon.

His owner, Stanton Pace, always wanted to increase the size of Bowser’s living quarters, but now his plan is officially coming to fruition.

“If I could, I would fence in the whole 20 acres and go interact with him,” Pace said. “Allowing Bowser to experience nature and watching him just be a bear in a much bigger environment will be an amazing experience.”

Bowser’s current home is around 4,000 square feet with six trees and a pool. His new home will be roughly 50,000 square feet with a real pond, a hill to climb and a more natural den dug into the hillside. 

“This new enclosure will allow Bowser to experience several different environments within the same area,” Pace said. “The connection I made with Bowser and his spirit led me to making his home bigger.”

One of the new additions to Bowser’s new sanctuary will be free visits and a safe place for those who wish to experience nature and meet a friendly Black Bear. Along with the new home, there will be several picnic tables and benches for those who want some peace and quiet in nature.

“We have never turned anyone away as long as they call ahead and make sure I’m here,” Pace said. “When Bowser’s new home is complete, we will offer a judgement free place for those who want to share Bowser’s amazing spirit.”

Along with Bowser, Pace has two horses, two American Bison and a pack of Great Danes that can be found roaming around the property and a few Redwing Blackbirds that call the cattails in the pond home.

“This is not only a place to come experience the spirit of these magnificent animals, but we want to provide a safe place for anyone who is hurting, depressed, overwhelmed, or feels like the world is crashing in on them,” Pace said. “I will never turn anyone away that wants to connect with nature or that simply needs someone to talk to.”

When first throwing around the idea of opening up a place for people to come and be with nature, Pace will admit he was scared.

“I started off with a sense of fear, thinking I needed to guard people from Bowser,” Pace said. “After I let go of that fear and realized that Bowser has a special gift and an amazing spirit, I knew we needed to do something to share that with people who need him the most.”

Pace is recovering from a battle with addiction and wants to help those going through similar situations to know they always have a place to go if they need someone to talk to or just get away from the day-to-day struggle.

“As a person in recovery, I don’t want anyone to feel the despair that I went through,” Pace said. “There’s no greater truth than coming out in nature. Compassion alone can change a person’s life and that’s what we want to offer here. We are not counselors, therapists, or tied to any group or medical facility. If you ask we can direct you to someone that knows more than us about treatment.”

On Saturday, May 26, at 9 a.m. Pace and a group of volunteers will begin adding fencing, pathways, benches, garden beds and improving Bowser’s pen for his comfort.

Those wishing to help out can contact Pace at bowserdad8@gmail.com or donate on Go Fund Me.

Please write to Stanton Pace bowserdad8@gmail.com with questions or to schedule a visit, or visit our Facebook page where we post updates and share photos, videos, and news about the peace sanctuary.

Support building Bowser’s Peace Sanctuary through our Go Fund Me site.