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ABOUT HOPE IN HER EYES
ABOUT HOPE IN HER EYES
Hope in Her Eyes is a faith-centered nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals find healing, resilience, and renewed purpose through the powerful connection between humans and horses.
Amy McCormick originally founded Hope in Her Eyes in New Jersey. Together with her husband, John McCormick, they made the decision to move the organization’s mission to Altoona, Alabama. Their goal was to broaden the reach of Hope in Her Eyes and establish a tranquil ranch setting where both individuals and families could find restoration and renewed hope.
The nonprofit now operates at Anchor of Hope Ranch in Altoona, Alabama, a western-style ranch setting designed to foster reflection, healing, and connection with both nature and horses.
AMY MCCORMICK
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Certifications
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EAGALA Certified Military Equine Specialist – 2022
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Draper Sensory Therapy Certified – 2024
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Trauma-Informed Care Certification – 2024
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Mental Health First Aid for Veterans – 2023
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Resilience First Aid Responder – 2024
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Disaster Response Crisis Counselor for New Jersey(DRCC) – 2025
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TLC Responder – 2024
Through these certifications, Amy provides programs that focus on nervous system regulation, emotional resilience, and trauma-informed care while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of both participants and horses.
For more than 30 years, Amy McCormick built a career in private wealth management - helping individuals, corporations, and nonprofit organizations navigate complex financial decisions and plan for the future.
Then, she chose a different kind of wealth.
She left her career in finance to pursue a calling rooted in something far more personal: helping people find hope, connection, and healing through horses.
Amy is now a certified Equine Specialist and trauma-informed responder dedicated to providing safe, compassionate, and neurologically supportive equine-assisted services.
Her training combines equine-assisted therapy, crisis response, trauma-informed care, and sensory-based therapeutic approaches.
Amy’s passion for equine-assisted work began through extremely personal experiences. Witnessing the calming and transformative effect horses could have on emotional regulation, confidence, and healing, inspired Amy to pursue professional training and certifications in equine-assisted therapy, trauma-informed care, and sensory-based therapeutic approaches.
Today, Hope in Her Eyes serves individuals and families seeking support for trauma, neurological challenges, emotional struggles, and life transitions. The ranch environment allows participants to step away from daily pressures and experience healing in a calm, natural setting.
JOHN MCCORMICK
VICE PRESIDENT
John McCormick is a lifelong tradesman from Barrington, New Jersey, whose life has been
defined by hard work, family, service, and dedication. Before retiring, John built a long career
with Port Authority Transit Corporation in Lindenwold, New Jersey, bringing a strong work ethic and hands-on approach to everything he did.
John is the proud father of five children. Three of his sons proudly serve our country as active-
duty United States Marines, a testament to the values of commitment, perseverance, and service
that he has instilled in his family.
Later in life, John married Amy, and together they began a new chapter—leaving New Jersey
and making their home in Altoona, Alabama. Their shared love of horses and helping others in
need brought them to a new purpose through Hope In Her Eyes.
Today, John has traded retirement for a different kind of work. He dedicates his time to the ranch, helping care for the horses, maintain the property, and support the mission of Hope In Her Eyes and its equine-facilitated wellness programs.
With a lifetime of experience working with his hands and a heart for serving Jesus, John brings a quiet strength and dependability to the ranch. For him, this new chapter isn’t simply retirement—it is an opportunity to use everything he has learned throughout his life to help create a place of hope, connection, and healing for others.
WENDY ARNOLD, M.D.
BOARD MEMBER
Wendy Arnold, M.D. hails from Allentown, Pennsylvania. Dr. Arnold earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh, PA with a dual major in business administration and journalism in 1994. After college, she was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps following completion of Officer Candidates School in Quantico, VA. After TBS, Dr. Arnold completed her military occupational specialty training at Ground Supply Officer School at Camp Johnson, NC. Dr. Arnold’s Marine Corps duty stations as a Marine Officer included the FMF (Fleet Marine Force,) drill field (as a series commander and executive officer,) recruiting, and ceremonial duties at Marine Barracks Washington, DC.
One month prior to being promoted to major in the Marine Corps, Dr. Arnold resigned her commission in 2004 and accepted a Naval officer commission as an Ensign in order to attend medical school at the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, MD, graduating with a Doctor of Medicine degree in 2008. Next, she completed Family Medicine Residency training at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune in June 2011. During this residency, she was selected to attend acupuncture training with McMaster University and is certified in this unique, complementary medicine technique. She was also voted as the residency program’s first resident teacher of the year in 2011.
Her next assignment as a board-certified family physician was as the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion Surgeon with MARSOC. There she deployed as the first female Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) Surgeon in Afghanistan. While at this command, she was selected for the competitive female leadership symposium associated with the annual MHS conference.
She was then selected for the only Naval family medicine Obstetrics fellowship, at which she spent a year learning cesarean deliveries and complicated obstetrics. She served a utilization tour for this fellowship starting in 2014 as family medicine faculty for Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton residents. During this tenure, she was voted 3 consecutive years as the Family Medicine Staff of the year by the residents. In addition, she obtained a second board certification in Integrative Medicine and was selected by The Top 100 Magazine as a top 100 physician for the Nation in 2018.
As the 1st Marine Logistics Group (MLG) Surgeon on Camp Pendleton, CA, she was the special staff advisor to the commanding general for a combat logistics element with 8,700 personnel and a $100 million budget in direct support of 1 Marine Expeditionary Force (IMEF) and subordinate units. During this tenure she was selected as Top 100 Healthcare Leaders for 2020 by the International Forum on Advancements in Healthcare and the Top 100 Integrative Medicine Physician of 2020 by the International Association of Top Professionals
She then moved to the National Capital Region and worked as the Plans and Policy Officer for the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) in addition to being faculty at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital’s Graduate Medical Education. At the USN Medical headquarters (BUMED) she prepared short-fuse briefs for Chairman of Joint Chiefs and SECDEF (executive branch cabinet level) regarding medical strategy for COVID-19.
Her final tour in the military was at the USNA as an Aviation Medical Examiner. She conducted over 300 flight physicals qualifying applicants and designated aviators for training and operational mission in the fleet, to include the Blue Angles performance team.
As a retired Marine and accomplished physician, Dr. Arnold has dedicated her life to serving others. Her lifelong love of horses and passion for helping people have now come together through her service on the Board of Hope In Her Eyes, located at Anchor of Hope Ranch in Altoona, Alabama.
A HEART FOR SERVICE
The McCormick family also holds a deep connection to military service. With three active-duty United States Marine Corps sons, the family understands firsthand the sacrifices and challenges military families face. Supporting veterans, active-duty service members, and their families is a central part of the mission.
Hope in Her Eyes is very proud to be the only program East of South Dakota that offers Draper Sensory Therapy . This specialized approach provides a unique opportunity for individuals throughout the Southeast to access innovative neurological and sensory-based therapy.
At Anchor of Hope Ranch, horses become partners in healing—helping individuals rediscover courage, trust, and hope.
ANCHOR OF HOPE RANCH
Anchor of Hope Ranch provides the home for Hope in Her Eyes and its equine-assisted programs.
Located in Altoona, Alabama, the ranch is designed to reflect a peaceful western ranch environment where individuals can slow down, reconnect with nature, and experience the quiet strength of horses.
The ranch setting plays an important role in the therapeutic process. Surrounded by open space, natural beauty, and a supportive herd environment, participants often begin to feel a sense of peace the moment they arrive.
At Anchor of Hope Ranch, the horse is not simply an animal—it becomes a partner in the healing journey.
Every participant who walks onto the ranch is welcomed with compassion, dignity, and hope.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 NKJV
