Mell has facilitated some of this work by calling on her lifelong love of horses and becoming a Certified Equine Guided Educator in 2011. She is co-founder of Warrior’s Soul, Inc., a 501(c) (3) nonprofit, whose home is in Lincoln, California. The mission of Warrior’s Soul is to provide opportunities to facilitate physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing by utilizing the unique interaction created between horse and human.

Mell did her undergraduate work at University of the Pacific in Stockton, California where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Religious Studies. Mell obtained her Master’s Degree in Psychology from International College, University Without Walls based in Sacramento and Los Angeles. In 1984, she became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.