McCormick Research Institute

What McCormick Research Institute does

McCormick Research Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2002 and headquartered in St. Cloud, Florida, that delivers equine-assisted therapy and therapeutic horseback riding to two primary beneficiary groups: U.S. military veterans diagnosed with PTSD and individuals (primarily children and adults) with special needs and disabilities. The organization's flagship programs include Heavenly Hooves (therapeutic riding for individuals with special needs), Camp McCormick/Horses & Heroes (equine-assisted mental health therapy for veterans), and a research program conducted in partnership with the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, now in Phase III of a multi-year evidence-based research agenda (2017–present) that has produced validated curricula and protocols for equine-assisted therapy in PTSD populations. McCormick holds the highest tier of PATH Intl. accreditation (Premier Center), and all three teaching staff are dual-certified as PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors and Equine Specialists in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL).

The organization operates a single 14-stall barn with a covered arena on county-built land in Osceola County, utilizing 12 therapy horses and over 100 active volunteers. Additional service lines include a summer day camp for children ages 8–14, a Veteran Intern Program (VIP), education programs for UCF medical and health-profession students (with planned expansion to nursing, physical therapy, and communication students), and facility rentals for community events ($3,000–$5,000 per event). A Horses & Heroes drill team performs at regional rodeos, generating community awareness.

Revenue is generated entirely through donations, charitable contributions, planned giving vehicles (bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, endowments), annual fundraising events (Derby Race & Taste, McCormick Cup Charity Golf Tournament, Trail Ride, Clays Classic), tiered corporate sponsorships ($1,500–$25,000), scholarship/grant programs (Veterans Scholarship Fund at $3,750/veteran; Special Needs Scholarship at $1,000/individual; Adopt-a-Horse at $500/month), and facility rental income. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Mark Miller and led operationally by CEO Ricky Booth, with founder Thomasa Sanchez continuing as full-time volunteer President. McCormick is privately funded, with no parent company, equity investors, or public listing; financial support comes from individual donors, the founding Tompkins and McCormick Tankersley families, Osceola County, corporate sponsors, and restricted programmatic gifts.

Name

McCormick Research Institute

Legal name

McCormick Research Institute

Website

https://mccormick.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

McCormick Research Institute is a Florida-based non-profit that delivers equine-assisted therapy, therapeutic horseback riding, and clinical research to veterans with PTSD and individuals with special needs, operating a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equine-Assisted Therapy Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Support Activities for Animal Production (115210)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Equestrian & Horse Trekking Centers (THAAAKAL)

Keywords

• Equine-assisted therapy
• Therapeutic horseback riding
• Veteran PTSD programs
• Special needs therapy
• Equine mental health

Headquarters

HQ city

St. Cloud

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and corporate donations constitute a major revenue stream. The organization operates a donation portal (Zeffy) and offers monthly giving options. Sponsorship packages at multiple tiers (Platoon $1,500 to Legacy $25,000) provide named recognition benefits.
2. Facility Rental: The covered arena and portions of the property are available for event rental for weddings, family events, high school reunions, and small events. Pricing is tiered: $3,000 for half facility and $5,000 for full facility, with discounts for non-profits. Additional staff available for extra fees.
3. Annual Event Fundraising: Major annual events including Derby Race & Taste, McCormick Cup Charity Golf Tournament, Trail Ride, and Clays Classic generate donations and sponsorship revenue. Event tickets, sponsorship packages, and participant fundraising contribute.
4. Planned Giving and Endowments: The organization accepts planned giving options including bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, life estates, and endowment gifts, providing long-term financial support.
5. Scholarship Fund Gifts and Grants: Veterans Scholarship Fund ($3,750 per veteran for 12 weeks/40 hours of therapy), Special Needs Scholarship ($1,000 per individual for 10 weeks of therapy), and Adopt a Horse programs ($500/month) generate revenue while funding client access.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

McCormick Research Institute is a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited nonprofit therapeutic equestrian center that delivers equine-assisted therapy programs to veterans with PTSD (Camp McCormick / Horses & Heroes) and individuals with special needs (Heavenly Hooves), alongside research with UCF College of Medicine, education programs for medical students, a Veteran Intern Program, summer horse camp, and facility rentals. Services are delivered by PATH Intl. CTRI- and ESMHL-certified instructors at its 14-stall barn and covered arena in St. Cloud, Florida.

Product overview

McCormick Research Institute operates as a therapeutic equestrian center offering multiple service programs centered around equine-assisted therapies. The core programs include Heavenly Hooves (therapeutic riding for individuals with special needs), Camp McCormick/Horses & Heroes (equine-assisted therapy for veterans with PTSD), and Research Initiatives conducted with UCF College of Medicine. Additional offerings include Education Programs for UCF medical students and health professionals, Barn Tours & Facility Rental, and Summer Horse Camp for children. The organization holds PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center status and serves over 20,000 riders annually utilizing 12 therapy horses and over 100 volunteers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Heavenly Hooves PATH Intl.-accredited therapeutic horseback riding program for children and adults with disabilities, developmental delays, and special needs. PATH Intl. CTRI-certified instructors work with specially trained horses to deliver mounted and ground-based lessons that develop flexibility, muscle strength, balance, motor skills, coordination, spatial awareness, self-esteem, communication, and social skills. Riders may progress to Equestrian Special Olympics competition at county, area, and state levels.
• Camp McCormick (Horses & Heroes) Equine-assisted therapy program for veterans with PTSD, offering 12-week group counseling workshops and individual sessions in which a licensed mental health professional partners with therapy horses to support client goals. Services are free of charge. Program graduates may join the Horses & Heroes drill team that performs at regional rodeos and events.
• Veteran Intern Program (VIP) Structured internship program for veterans that provides training, employment, and therapeutic engagement through the organization's equine-assisted programs, supporting the transition to civilian life.
• Education Programs Educational offerings for UCF College of Medicine students centered on the Equine 101 curriculum for bedside-manner and communication-skills training, plus continuing-education CEU credits for health professionals and planned cross-disciplinary classes for nursing, physical therapy, and communication students.
• Research Initiatives Evidence-based research program in collaboration with UCF College of Medicine investigating equine-assisted therapies for veterans with PTSD, validating and developing curricula and best practices, and creating an educational resource center for the equine-assisted therapeutic industry.
• Barn Tours & Facility Rental Venue rental of the covered arena and grounds for weddings, family events, high school reunions, and small gatherings, with capacity for approximately 100-125 guests and 50 parking spots. Pricing is $3,000 for the half facility and $5,000 for the full facility, with non-profit discounts available; not suitable for horse shows.
• Summer Horse Camp Summer day camp held the last three weeks of June for children ages 8-14, teaching horseback riding, horsemanship, horse care, crafts, and games.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20,000 riders served since 2002 with 12 horses and 100+ volunteers
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Central Florida College of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011In 2011, the organization began a collaboration with the UCF College of Medicine to introduce the Horses & Heroes program for veterans with PTSD. Together UCF and McCormick co-manage the formal research partnership by identifying research participants, administering pre- and post-testing, developing and testing program curricula, and disseminating results. All projects are evidence-based with lead investigators who are medical doctors and PhDs. The partnership also includes UCF student programs (Equine 101 for medical students) and planned cross-disciplinary classes for nursing, physical therapy, and communication students.
• PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPATH Intl. is the governing body for therapeutic horsemanship. McCormick Research Institute holds the Premier Center Accreditation, the highest level of accreditation, meaning administration, facilities, and programs have exceeded industry standards. All McCormick instructors are PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors (CTRI) and Equine Specialists in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL).
• Give Kids the World VillageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrom 2002-2005, horses were transported from the Tompkins stable to Give Kids the World Village to provide equine-assisted activities and therapies for children with life-threatening illnesses. This was the organization's first program location.
• Equestrian Special OlympicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMcCormick hosts County- and Area-level Special Olympics competitions at its facility, with State competition held in Weirsdale, Florida. Students from Heavenly Hooves participate and compete at all levels.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mane Stream: Mane Stream is a New Jersey-based PATH Premier Accredited center providing therapeutic riding and equine-assisted services to individuals with disabilities and veterans — directly comparable PATH Premier peer serving overlapping populations.
• Cheff Center for the Handicapped: Cheff Center is a Michigan-based PATH Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center serving individuals with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges — a comparable established PATH Premier operator with a similar mission.
• Hearts & Horses: Hearts & Horses is a Colorado-based PATH Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center serving individuals with disabilities and at-risk youth through equine-assisted activities — directly comparable in accreditation level and program structure.
• High Hopes Therapeutic Riding: High Hopes is a Connecticut-based PATH Premier Accredited center offering therapeutic riding and equine-assisted learning — directly comparable in accreditation tier, population served, and program delivery model.
• BraveHearts: BraveHearts is an Illinois-based PATH Premier Accredited center providing therapeutic horsemanship and a dedicated Horses for Heroes program for veterans with PTSD — directly comparable to McCormick's veteran and special-needs program mix.
• Windrush Farm Therapeutic Equitation: Windrush Farm is a Massachusetts-based PATH Premier Accredited therapeutic equitation center serving children and adults with disabilities — a comparable established therapeutic riding operator.
• Equest: Equest is a Texas-based therapeutic horsemanship nonprofit offering equine-assisted therapy to children and adults with disabilities, plus mental health and veteran programs — a closely analogous multi-program PATH-accredited model serving similar populations.

Others

• Give Kids the World Village: Give Kids the World Village is a Florida nonprofit resort for critically ill children; McCormick operated its first program location there from 2002–2005, making it a legacy partner and adjacent mission-aligned organization rather than a current service peer.
• Horses & Humans Research Foundation: Horses & Humans Research Foundation funds and disseminates research on equine-assisted therapy — adjacent to McCormick's UCF research partnership mission, making it a research-focused ecosystem participant rather than a service competitor.

Broad incumbents

• PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International): PATH Intl. is the governing and accrediting body for the therapeutic horsemanship industry; McCormick is a member center under its Premier Accreditation framework, making it the industry umbrella and standards-setter rather than a direct operator competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mccormick-research-institute

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about McCormick Research Institute