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McCormick Research Institute drill team members mount up for a recent practice. PHOTO/TERRY LLOYD -
McCormick Research Institute drill team members mount up for a recent practice. PHOTO/TERRY LLOYD -
PHOTO/MCCORMICK INSTITUTE
On a quiet corner off of Rummell Road in St. Cloud, the Osceola County Therapeutic Equestrian Center is the home of the Horses & Heroes Program and the McCormick Research Institute.
For many veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury, or both, it is also a refuge from the ravages of war. The program is free to the veterans and consists of 10week sessions using horses in a group counseling environment.
“We are here to reduce veteran suicide and help heal PTSD,” said Eric Davidson, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Veteran Affairs for the McCormick Research Institute, and an Army veteran.
Over 180 veterans have graduated from the program, including 10 who finished this month. A Drill Team, consisting of program graduates, is often seen performing at events, such as the opening of the Silver Spurs Rodeo. The drill team held a practice on Dec. 21, just before a planned Christmas party for the program participants, alumni, families, and staff. Of course, Santa rode into the festivities on a horse.
“This is my maintenance,” said Toshua, a drill team member and former military medic who completed the program several years ago.
Michael, another team member, and a former career Air Force Flight Nurse, credits the program for preventing PTSD from getting the best of him before it was too late.
“After I retired (from the Air Force), I knew something was not right. While I was serving, I was just too busy to recognize I might be affected. As soon as I got into this program, I knew almost immediately things could get better, and it did,” he said.
The program started five years before the facility was completed in 2016. In 2011, the organization then known as Heavenly Hooves, began a collaboration with the University of Central Florida College of Medicine and introduced the Horses & Heroes program out of Osceola Heritage Park. Educational programs and research initiatives were at that time.
In 2014 the organization was rebranded as The McCormick Research Institute, which now encompasses the Heavenly Hooves program, Horses & Heroes program, Education program, and Research initiatives. The name honors the legacy of Ruth McCormick Tankersley, who was the mother of Mark Miller, former owner of Arabian Nights and McCormick’s Chairman. Several of the horses utilized in the program were “cast members” in the former Arabian Nights attraction shows.
The staff consists of seven full-time and two part-time employees and two hundred volunteers. Several of the key staff members forego any salary. In ongoing cooperation with UCF, McCormick conducts innovative, valid practical, and academic research. Not content with just helping Central Florida veterans, the Institute is creating a standardized delivery of service to ensure quality. There are plans to petition Congress and insurance companies to invest in this type of treatment based on the proven effectiveness with the special needs population and veterans who are susceptible to suicide.
In addition to equestrian therapy, McCormick and its four-legged workforce conduct a communications program for students in the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. Coming soon are two more programs, one for UCF Cross-Disciplinary students, and Continuing Education (CEU) credits for health professionals in general. For more information, go to www.mccormick.us.
