EP:14 ZACH SKOW: A STORY OF ADDICTION, DOGS, TRIUMPH, SERVICE, AND LOVE

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EPISODE

14

GUEST

Zach Skow

HOSTS

Mark Drucker and Drew Webster

PRODUCER AND EDITOR

John LaSala

TAKEAWAYS

• Recovery requires commitment, resilience, and a willingness to confront and heal from past traumas. Dogs can provide comfort, support, and a sense of purpose during difficult times.
• Service to others and the human-animal bond can be powerful tools for healing and personal growth.
• Marley’s Mutts is an organization that aims to make proactive societal change in the areas of animal welfare and the prison system.
• The organization has several sectors, including a rescue ranch, a therapy program, and a program that pairs dogs with incarcerated individuals for training and rehabilitation. Addressing the root causes of shelter euthanasia requires massive spay and neuter programs and education.
• The parallels between incarcerated individuals and shelter animals highlight the need for social support and rehabilitation. Empathy and resources are crucial for incarcerated individuals to heal and reintegrate into society.
• Shelter workers play a vital role in transitioning unwanted pets and deserve recognition and support.

LINKS

MARLEY’S MUTTS

PAWSITIVE CHANGE

MIRACLE MUTTS THERAPY DOG PROGRAM

MUTT MOVERS

Zach Skow at Marley’s Mutts Ranch. Photo: Ben Potter

GUEST BIO

Zach Skow, Marley’s Mutts Founder rescued Marley, a Rottweiler-Pit Bull  from the Mojave Shelter in 2002 at eight weeks old. He used to carry him around in a backpack with just his head poking out.

​When Zach was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease, it was Marley who helped pull him from despair and into the fight. It was his relentless love, omnipresent affection, and “today can be the best day of our life” mentality,that helped Zach live again.

​When Zach contemplated suicide, Marley looked at him with a blinding affection that just couldn’t be ignored.  He forced Zach to love himself by giving unconditional love.

Zach founded Marley’s Mutts in 2009. Nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status was granted in 2010. Growing from a nonprofit about dog rescue, providing second chances, and rescuing the unrescuable dogs, were the Pawsitive Change® Prison Program and Miracle Mutts® Therapy Dog Program.  

Sadly, Marley was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 15 and fought a courageous battle. He crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in 2016; Marley’s Mutts and the Mutt Militia are his legacy.

SUMMARY

In this episode, hosts, Mark Drucker and Drew Webster have a moving conversation with Zach Skow, the founder of Marley’s Mutt’s, a shelter for rescued dogs located in Tehapachi, CA. Skow shares his personal journey of addiction, trauma, and recovery, highlighting the role that dogs played in saving his life, and his healing process overall.

Skow discusses his early experiences with alcohol and drugs, the impact of childhood trauma on his relationships, and his struggle with liver failure. His father plays a crucial role in his recovery, advocating for his son’s life and helping him navigate the medical system. Skow’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, support, and the healing bond between humans and dogs. He started Marley’s Mutts with the goal of making proactive societal change and addressing the issues of animal welfare. Marley’s Mutts has several sectors, including a 20-acre rescue ranch, a therapy program called Miracle Mutts, and a program called Positive Change that pairs dogs with incarcerated individuals for training and rehabilitation. In the final part of the conversation, the three discuss the importance of addressing the root causes of shelter euthanasia and the need for massive spay and neuter programs and education. They also explore the parallels between the incarcerated individuals in Zach’s programs and the animals they work with, highlighting the value of social support and the potential for rehabilitation and reform.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Episode Opens

08:15 The conversation begins

14:23 Skow Discusses Alcohol as a Coping Mechanism

23:00 Seeking Treatment and Hope

29:32 Skow’s Father’s Role in Recovery

31:59 Overcoming Suicidal Thoughts

34:03 Finding Strength and Worth Through Dogs

41:43 Overcoming Addiction and Rediscovering Purpose

48:21 Exploring Spirituality and the Power of Service

54:24 Marley’s Mutts: Making Proactive Societal Change

01:03:05 PAWSITIVE CHANGE: Rehabilitating Dogs and Incarcerated Individuals

01:08:19 Addressing the Root Causes of Shelter Euthanasia

01:09:43 The Parallels Between Incarcerated Individuals and Shelter Animals

01:10:36 Empathy and Resources for Incarcerated Individuals

01:14:00 Recognizing the Dedication of Shelter Workers

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DISCLAIMER

Our podcasts are for your enjoyment and for general education and information purposes only. We interview veterinarians, scientists, behavior consultants, dog trainers, influencers, etc. You must always consult with your own [credentialed] canine and pet practitioners before implementing any training program or course of medical diagnosis and/or treatment.