#119 Zach Skow on Redemption, Recovery & the Pawsitive Change Movement

#119 Zach Skow on Redemption, Recovery & the Pawsitive Change Movement

In this moving episode of K9's Talking Scents, host Cameron Ford sits down with Zach Skow, co-founder of Marley’s Mutts and the groundbreaking Pawsitive Change Program.

Zach shares his personal battle with addiction—and how it ultimately led him to a purpose-driven mission: rescuing shelter dogs and pairing them with incarcerated individuals to create a powerful cycle of healing and redemption.

Through Pawsitive Change, inmates train rescue dogs inside California prisons, giving both a second chance at life. These dogs don’t just find homes—they sometimes go on to become working K9s in security, detection, and emotional support.

In this episode:

  • Zach’s story of recovery and building Marley’s Mutts
  • Why working with rescue dogs heals trauma for both humans and animals
  • How the Pawsitive Change program transforms inmates and reduces recidivism
  • Addressing the stigma around bully breeds in K9 and detection work
  • Real success stories—both canine and human

This one goes beyond dog training. It’s about purpose, second chances, and using K9s to create real social change.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro & Meet Zach Skow
02:45 Zach’s Journey Through Addiction & Recovery
07:12 The Origin of Marley’s Mutts
10:28 Launching the Pawsitive Change Prison Program
15:41 How Inmates Train Rescue Dogs Behind Bars
20:03 Giving Purpose to the Forgotten—Dogs and Humans
25:36 Stigma Around Bully Breeds in K9 Work
31:19 Real Stories of Redemption from the Program
37:44 Dogs as a Catalyst for Healing and Reform
41:12 Pitbulls, Detection Work & the Future of K9 Training
45:10 What’s Next for Marley’s Mutts & Pawsitive Change

Episoder(138)

#139 Firearm Detection LAPD Metro K9 Tom Onyshko

#139 Firearm Detection LAPD Metro K9 Tom Onyshko

Tom Onyshko is a 20-year LAPD veteran and handler in Metropolitan Division's elite K9 Platoon, where he runs both a patrol apprehension dog and a firearm detection dog. With only 5 firearm detection s...

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#138 Fire Investigation Dogs: Why One Odor Works Better Than Thirteen | Jared Harms

#138 Fire Investigation Dogs: Why One Odor Works Better Than Thirteen | Jared Harms

Fire Marshal Jared Harms (Spokane, WA) reveals why ignitable liquid detection dogs train on only ONE odor—50% evaporated gasoline—and why it works better than multi-odor programs. Learn how dogs find ...

9 Apr 1h 25min

#137 From Puppy to MWD with Jason Dill

#137 From Puppy to MWD with Jason Dill

In this episode of K9’s Talking Scents, Cameron Ford and Jason Dill discuss the intricacies of breeding and training military working dogs, focusing on the DOD Military Working Dog breeding program at...

26 Mar 1h 22min

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From Army Rangers to Navy SEALs: Lessons from a Combat K9 Handler | Brent Verner

Brent Verner shares his journey from being one of the first eight Army Ranger Combat Assault Dog handlers to working with Naval Special Warfare, bringing decades of operational experience from Iraq an...

14 Mar 1h 27min

#135 The Cutting Edge Of Detection Dogs with Brian Menace | Knife Detection K9s

#135 The Cutting Edge Of Detection Dogs with Brian Menace | Knife Detection K9s

Brian Menace from the UK reveals how his team pioneered knife detection dogs—a capability that sounds impossible but is backed by solid science. Working with Dr. Tatum and researchers, they discovered...

26 Feb 1h 4min

#134 Electronic Storage Device (ESD) Detection Dogs with Derek Ramierez

#134 Electronic Storage Device (ESD) Detection Dogs with Derek Ramierez

Derek Ramirez, the first ESD (Electronic Storage Device) K9 handler in his large Southern California agency, breaks down why electronic detection is the most challenging discipline in K9 work. Despite...

12 Feb 1h 12min

#133 The Reality of Explosive Detection with Hank Wong

#133 The Reality of Explosive Detection with Hank Wong

Hank Wong, veteran law enforcement K9 handler turned DHS contractor, reveals shocking findings from government READY events that test bomb dog teams nationwide: NO team passes odor recognition tests 1...

29 Jan 1h 43min

#132 Detection Therapy Dogs with Deputy John Grey

#132 Detection Therapy Dogs with Deputy John Grey

In this groundbreaking episode, I sit down with John Grey, a law enforcement K9 handler who's doing the "impossible" - running a program with PUPPIES that are BOTH therapy dogs AND detection dogs (fir...

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