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Troy McDaniel

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The Bad Dogs: Experience is the best mentor

Troy McDaniel is one of a few inmates who started and graduated from California City Correction facilities’ Pawsitive Change dog program in 2016. He shares his remarkable experience of the ups and downs of his journey. Relating a lot of his experience to the dangerous yet intelligent life form of the canines he worked with during his prison term.

Troy McDaniel with chihuahua-doberman pinscher mix, Chi Chi.

While in prison, Troy McDaniel got stuck in a routine, going to the yard and reading books in his spare time. When Pawsitive Change Program — a comprehensive inmate-canine training program that takes place over a three-month period — came to his prison, he decided to give it a go.

This was the first time the program took place at any prison, back in early 2016, and it was off to a successful start. Pawsitive Change is now in six California state prisons and one girl’s juvenile facility. The purpose of the program is to rehabilitate shelter dogs, readying them for adoption, and to also rehabilitate men and women, readying them for life on the outside.

“I didn’t expect to learn skills that would help me start my own business and help people,” says McDaniel. “I took in everything they taught us. Once I advanced in the program, I became a mentor and could teach other people. I would show them how to walk a dog, put them in a crate and help them through various situations. It gave me skills and the confidence to speak publicly and to help people.”

“This was exactly what Zach Skow, the founder of Pawsitive Change Program and Marley’s Mutts, wanted to achieve. He wants to give inmates and dogs a second change, and to fight recidivism.”

This was exactly what Zach Skow, the founder of Pawsitive Change Program and Marley’s Mutts, wanted to achieve. He wants to give inmates and dogs a second change, and to fight recidivism. Prior to starting these programs, Skow always felt like somebody who was on the other side of society — the wrong side of the tracks, he says.

Zach Skow, founder of Pawsitive Change Program and Marley’s Mutts.

“I’ve dealt with alcoholism and drug addiction for most of my life. I’m 12 years sober now, but prior to rescue, I was a destitute alcoholic and drug addict,” he says. “I went into liver failure and needed to turn my life around — that’s how I ended up starting Marley’s Mutts. Through this process of recovery and rehabilitation, I’ve gotten hope and I seek to give that to others. I wanted to help the men and women like me.”

“The focal point of Pawsitive Change is to give access to hope to incarcerated men and women, along with shelter pets. Zach says the biggest disparity in the U.S. is access to hope, which then translates into realization and actualization of dreams.”

The focal point of Pawsitive Change is to give access to hope to incarcerated men and women, along with shelter pets. Zach says the biggest disparity in the U.S. is access to hope, which then translates into realization and actualization of dreams. This is especially the case with the formerly incarcerated.

Through the program, the inmates train for 13 and a half hours a day. Class takes place once a week between three and four hours. Participants work on homework, presentation, emotional honesty and availability, and elements of sobriety — everyone’s taking positive steps forward.

They’re having to make speeches in front of their whole team. It galvanized them into self-actualization and self-esteem. Eventually, they work toward getting their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification.

Troy’s Story

Troy with his Pawsitive Change Program certificate of completion.

“The first dog I received was Nelson, a blue-nosed pitbull with some anxiety issues,” says McDaniel. “I then had a chihuahua-doberman pinscher mix named Chi Chi. Lastly, I worked with a husky puppy. The dogs all had their own struggles, but they rehabilitated me more than I rehabilitated them. Each dog helped me to look at things from different perspectives, and to look at myself and my life differently.”

“The dogs all had their own struggles, but they rehabilitated me more than I rehabilitated them. Each dog helped me to look at things from different perspectives, and to look at myself and my life differently.”

In 2019, McDaniel started a dog corporation, Pack Runner. He’s already taking his knowledge from the program and using it on the outside. And he couldn’t be happier.

“What we do is help people build a better relationship with their pet,” explains McDaniel. “People call me about dog aggression and other behavioral issues. I go and assist them with those issues.

Troy with dogs.

According to Skow, a lot of the program graduates work as professional trainers and have small business. Some work with rescues and shelters. That’s what Skow really wants to do — show how one industry can welcome the formerly incarcerated and set the stage for access to hope for millions.

“That’s what Skow really wants to do — show how one industry can welcome the formerly incarcerated and set the stage for access to hope for millions.”

“Our plan is to shift the consciousness of America to accept incarcerated individuals into their hearts, homes and workplaces,” Skow says. “It’s an obnoxiously unfair mountain to climb if they get out of prison if they expect to be even mildly successful. We have to change that.”

Visit Pawsitive Change Program’s website here

The story behind Troy McDaniel, the founder of Pack Runner.” Working at a doggy daycare I wanted to share my knowledge to help pet owners”.

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The Bad Dogs: Experience is the best mentor

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