Piney the Schnauzer Pup perched on the famous medicine ball used by the President each morning on the White House lawn. Herbert Hoover is better known as a humanitarian and possibly the wealthiest man ever to enter the office of president. He is lesser known for being one of the first presidents to demonstrate an active concern for his health and that of his staff. While on a goodwill trip to South America, he saw officers playing a game called "bull-in-the-ring", a popular medicine-ball game for naval officers, and figured it was time to have a similar practice in the White House. "Getting daily exercise to keep physically fit is always a problem for presidents," Hoover wrote in his memoirs. "Once the day's work starts there is little chance to walk, to ride or to take part in a game. Taking walks or rides early in the morning is a lonesome business, and the inevitable secret service guard when the president leaves the White House grounds is not enlivening company." Developed by the White House physician Admiral Joel T. Boone, Hoover-ball was a combination of tennis, volleyball and medicine ball. Hoover and his staff commenced every morning at 7:30 AM. Teams of 2-4 players tossed the heavy ball over a high net and the game was played and scored just like tennis. "It required less skill than tennis, was faster and more vigorous, and therefore gave more exercise in a short time," said Hoover. National Photo Company, September 23, 1929.