Out and About

Shannon McGraw is a retired US Marine Corps Captain and former JAG lawyer who now dedicates her time to being a mom and equine therapist in Santa Barbara, CA.  During her ten years of service, she specialized in human rights as a Staff Judge Advocate, assigned to US Southern Command and Marine Corps Forces South.  Shannon holds a J.D. and an LLM in Intercultural Human Rights/International Law, and has led the Hearts Therapeutic Equine Services for Heroes Veterans Program, and taught horseback riding at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, as well as playing polo with the USMC Polo Team and the Santa Barbara Polo Club. She teaches therapeutic riding for PTSD, anxiety, autism, veterans, children, team building, and offers riding events for weddings, vacation packages, and beach riding.

Dr. Kelly is a lifetime artist and graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara and Antioch University. She has a doctorate degree in Human Development, a master’s degree in organizational mgmt. and a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. She has been a licensed art therapist for the past 25 years. The findings of her Dissertation research became a nonprofit project in Southern California that was the first art therapy program ever funded by the California Endowment (Blue Cross) for five consecutive years. It served over 500 youths in a drug and alcohol resistance program. Angela has successfully written 32 grants to create projects supporting youth and adults healing from PTSD and drug and alcohol addiction via art and equine therapy. Dr. Kelly offers both coaching or counseling at the ranch depending on your individual needs.

Angela’s photography and art have taken her to a myriad of interesting places. The American Wild Horse Campaign hired her to photograph and document wild horse round ups in the American West. Her art has been in 36 exhibitions, including one in Bibboni Castle in Tuscany, featuring her work depicting Public Art in Rome. Dr. Kelly served on the Board of directors of the wild horse sanctuary- Return to Freedom. 

Dr. Kelly has also worked on the Pediatric SCI unit of Shriner’s Hospital/ San Francisco, San Luis Obispo Mental Health Association, St. Vincent’s School, Project Renaissance- Santa Barbara, Reins of Hope- Art & Equine Therapy Program, Trivium Charter School, and as a lecturer at Cal Polytechnic State University / SLO. She is the proud Mom of 21-year-old Maxwell.