Zach Skow's Unbelievable Battle to Evac 300 Dogs from Afghanistan | Ep. 259

In this powerful episode of the Mike Drop Podcast, Mike sits down with Zach Skow, founder of Marley’s Mutts and the Positive Change prison-dog program. What begins with the chaos of evacuating nearly 300 animals during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan unfolds into Zach’s raw story of addiction, survival, and redemption.

From a troubled childhood to end-stage liver failure at 28, Zach was given 90 days to live. Saved by his bond with dogs, he rebuilt his life through sobriety, whole foods, and purpose. His recovery sparked Marley’s Mutts, a movement that rescues animals, transforms prisons, and helped Kern County achieve no-kill status.

Together, Mike and Zach tackle the shelter crisis, breeding pitfalls, and the power of community education. Vulnerable, unflinching, and inspiring, this episode is a testament to second chances and leading with purpose.

If you like this, click subscribe, like and share with a friend.

----------

Support Zach Skow

----------

SPONSORS

NAVY SEALS FITNESS APP | HYBRID STRENGTH & CONDITIONING TRAINING

Train like a SEAL with Mike Ritland's App. Build real-world strength, endurance and resilience.

Beam

Here’s the deal: Beam is giving my listeners the ultimate patriot discount of UP TO 40% off.

Try their best‑selling Dream Powder and get UP TO 40% off for a limited time.

Go to and use code MIKEDROP at checkout.

TEAM DOG FOOD, TREATS & SUPPLEMENTS

Be Your Dog’s Hero: Veteran-owned by a former Navy SEAL and Special Operations K9 Trainer, Team Dog provides a complete diet of science-backed premium dog food, treats, and supplements to optimize your dog’s health, forged from rigorous standards and real-world expertise.

TEAM DOG ONLINE TRAINING

Mike Ritland – a former Navy SEAL & Special Operations K9 trainer – shares his simple and effective dog training program to build trust and control with your dog. Based on Mike’s bestselling book “Team Dog, Train the Navy SEAL Way”, join tens of thousands of families that successfully trained their way to a better dog.

SHOP ALL THE MIKE RITLAND BRANDS

Get all your Mike Ritland branded gear - Mike Drop | Trikos | Team Dog

Chapters

#TheMikeDropPodcast #MikeRitland #ZachSkow #veteran #military #Geopolitics #MikeRitlandPodcast #MikeDrop #MarleysMutts #PositiveChange #KernCounty #dogrescue #prisonprogram #USwithdrawal #Afghanistancrisis #wholefoods #dogbond #redemptionstory #prisonreform #dogadoption #animalwelfare #endstage #dogprograms #petrescue #dogtraining #animalrescue #prisondogs #zachskow #marleysmutts #zachskowmarleysmutts #zachskowstory