
Our Values


In 2013 Osceola County voted to build a facility in support of the organization's vision to grow into an expansive research and educational center. In late 2016 the facility was complete and the organization occupied its new home. Now conducting innovative, valid research, the program has become an international leader in the standard of excellence. The organization aims to create a standardized delivery of service to ensure quality, as well as petition Congress and insurance companies to invest in this modality of treatment that can be unusually effective for the special needs population and Veterans who are susceptible to suicide.


In 2014 the organization was rebranded to The McCormick Research Institute, which now encompasses the Heavenly Hooves program, Horses & Heroes program, Education program, and Research initiatives. "McCormick" honors the legacy of Ruth McCormick Tankersley. Ruth, known as Bazy, was the mother of local Mark Miller who formerly owned Arabian Nights and serves as McCormick's Chairman. Bazy was a very special woman who once famously said, "I have an obligation to do good works for others." She was known as a community leader, an influential voice, publisher of the Washington Times Herald, and an icon in the Arabian horse industry. She came from a prominent Chicago family often dubbed the McCormick Media Dynasty. The McCormicks owned both the Chicago Tribune and The Washington Times Herald. Bazy's mother and father served in the US Congress and her grandfather, Mark Hanna, was known as a political kingmaker. Bazy was a dynamic and respected leader who founded schools, served on countless boards, and to boot, earned an honorary doctorate degree.
The modest beginnings of the organization have grown to serve over 20,000 riders utilizing 15 horses and the assistance of more than 200 community volunteers. As of 2020, staff includes a full-time pro-bono CEO, full-time COO, development director, volunteer services manager, stable manager, facilities manager, and managers for both our special needs and veterans programs, as well as a part-time business services manager and part-time pro-bono research assistant.
