Dog Parks Research Articles

An Assessment of the Presence of Clostridium tetani in the Soil and on Other Surfaces

Introduction: Standard emergency medicine practice includes tetanus vaccine administration as part of wound care management for patients who are not fully immunized. Since there have been no available studies in the United States reaffirming the prevalence of Clostridium tetani (C tetani) since 1926, we sought to identify its prevalence in a major urban county in the US. Methods: We sampled soil, rusted metal, concrete, and dog feces to determine the prevalence of C tetani in a single metropolitan county in the United States. Soil samples and swabs were collected from four locations: the soil of a public park and an elementary school; dog feces from a single public dog park; and rusted surfaces (metal and concrete) in common student areas of a university campus. The presence of C tetani in each sample was determined using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: In total, 200 samples were collected, of which 37 (18.5%) tested positive for C tetani DNA. Among the 140 samples taken from the soil, just one (0.7%) tested positive for C tetani DNA. Of the 40 samples of rusted metal and concrete surfaces, 30 (75%) tested positive for C tetani, and six (30%) of the 20 samples from dog feces tested positive for C tetani. Conclusion: We found that C tetani is frequently present on rusted metal and concrete surfaces but rarely in soil samples. Minor wounds contaminated with soil may be considered low risk for tetanus. However, future studies should assess the burden of C tetani in other similar urban, suburban, and rural environments to help determine the threat of C tetani more exactly.

Exploring Myths and Misconceptions About Dog Behavior in a Spanish Population Sample

ABSTRACT Although dogs and humans have been in contact for thousands of years, myths and misconceptions about dog behavior still circulate today and hinder this relationship. This exploratory study aimed to determine the prevalence of certain myths and misconceptions in a Spanish sample and how personal characteristics might influence them. Thirty-four statements about dog behavior, generated based on the literature and personal experiences in veterinary practice, were presented in an online questionnaire distributed through social media and veterinary clinics from September to December 2020; 1,186 responses were received. The level of agreement for each statement was analyzed and the percentage of maximum possible (POMP) score was calculated as a summary of the respondents’ agreement. Two myths were accepted by more than 50% of participants. These were “dogs need to know who’s in charge” and an item about a wagging tail indicating that the dog is happy. Three items had a majority of “agree,” including “dog parks are perfect for socializing puppies,” “dogs love being hugged,” and an item about the “guilty” look (that dogs know when they’ve done something bad). Finally, four items were rejected by more than 90% of participants, including an item about small dogs not needing to go outside, one about adult dogs being unable to learn to love their owner, one related to punishment as a way to cure fear, and one related to aggression toward children being normal. The mean POMP score was 41.18 (SD = 9.87), with scores ranging from 20 to 91.11 (out of 100). Categorical regression analyses were performed to examine the predictive power of participant variables on the POMPs and found that demographics such as age, population size, occupation, animal-related studies or jobs, dog ownership, cat ownership, and ownership of other pets accounted for 34.5% of the variance (ANOVA F (183) = 2.892, p < 0.001). Other personal characteristics such as gender and educational level were not found to be predictive of POMP scores (p > 0.05). Identifying the most common myths and the factors associated with them could help in the design and focus of educational campaigns on dog behavior and effective animal welfare policies.

Why dogs prefer zoomies to zoom and what it tells us about the importance of in-person meetings for learning and memory.

As people commonly observe dog behaviors like the sudden bursts of physical movement colloquially known as "zoomies," and the canine penchant for sticking their nose out of car windows and for sniffing intently in dog parks, it is not surprising that people generally believe dogs learn and communicate by smell. While people generally discount their own olfactory sensitivity and the importance of smell overall, humans also learn and communicate by smell, in some cases even better than dogs. In this article, we discuss why this information exchange matters for learning and memory and why virtual meetings don't pass the sniff test.

Assessing perceptions of flea and tick infestation risk in Southeast Queensland, Australia

Social cognitive models are useful for improving our understanding of the relationship between people's health beliefs and disease risks and have been widely employed in human medicine. In veterinary science, there is little research about owners' perceptions of pet health and parasitic infections/infestations, despite the risk of transmission of zoonotic pathogens by ectoparasites. This study investigated the effects of demographic factors on pet owner's perception of ectoparasite infestation risk and behaviours related to animal health in southeast Queensland, Australia employing the Health Belief Model (HBM). A total of 241 dog owners were surveyed in 2018. The electronic survey was generated through SurveyMonkey and distributed utilising UQ SVS and Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) email networks, informative posters and brochures placed in selected veterinary clinics, and in-person visits to dog parks. The relationship between dog owners' perception of flea and tick infestation risk was assessed using an adaptation of the Health Belief Model, social cognitive framework for health protection. Most survey respondents were between 26 and 45 years of age (40%), identified themselves as females (83%) and had a bachelor's degree (43%). Our results indicate that female owners had greater level of health concern related to ectoparasites compared to males. Similarly, owners aged 18 to 25, with a grade 10 to 12 level of attained education and living predominately in a rural setting showed greater level of health concern related to ectoparasite infestations. The results also indicated that cat owners had on average, higher levels of health concern than dog owners. Our study indicates that the perceptions of pet owners towards perception of flea and tick infestation risk varies demographically, and owner education is an important predictor of prevention behaviours towards tick and flea infestation of pets.

Impact of apparent temperatures on park visitation behavior: A comprehensive analysis using large-scale mobility data

As many regions continue to show record temperatures and high frequencies of extreme climate events, climate change is disrupting human health and prosperity. This study focuses on how temperature changes and extreme heat as key climate components can impact park visitations (key physical activities indicator). Using the large mobility dataset SafeGraph, this study introduced a causal machine learning approach to estimate marginal heterogenous treatment effects (HTE) of daily apparent temperatures for different park properties and activity types. Our results revealed the declining effects of park visitations as apparent temperature increases and the significant disturbances under extreme heat. Different temperature thresholds that may harm park visitations were identified. Nearby green and public spaces (e.g. neighborhood parks) are the most susceptible category to summer heat. Dog parks, Playgrounds and Ball Field/Sports were well used during the heat. Pool/Splash pad and Community center have shown capabilities of mitigating heat stress. Effectiveness of other park facilities, including Restroom/Drinking Fountain, Water Body, Shade Area Facility were also presented. This study estimates climate impact on park behaviors for multiple usage and environmental situations. Our findings may help future planners, policymakers, landscape architects and park managers better understand climate-related risks when making investment and development decisions.

User behaviors in a community-based multifunctional urban park with dog friendly area

Urban parks are essential for community revitalization; for example, they are places to walk dogs and interact with other dog keepers. This study focused on an urban park with a dog-friendly area to be used by both dog keepers and other users as an alternative to off-leash dog parks that completely separate them and clarified aspects of park use through behavioral observation. The behaviors of 7122 visitors in 14 areas in the park and 294 pairs of dogs and their keepers in the dog-friendly area were observed. The results showed that the visitors’ age groups and use behaviors differed by area. The dog-friendly area was in constant demand among dog keepers as a place where they could stay and interact with others and as a destination or relay point when walking their dogs. Visitors used the park in accordance with rules and morals, and the park was well managed. As it can be comfortably used by everyone (with or without dogs), this park can serve as a model for the development and maintenance of community-based multifunctional parks in urban areas.

Risk factors for Echinococcus multilocularis intestinal infections in owned domestic dogs in a North American metropolis (Calgary, Alberta)

Human alveolar echinococcosis is increasingly documented in Alberta, Canada. Its causative agent, Echinococcus multilocularis (Em), can be transmitted to humans by infected dogs. We assessed the prevalence and associated risk factors for Em infections in domestic dogs in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In this cross-sectional study that coupled collection and assessment of dog feces with a survey on potential risk factors, 13 of 696 (Bayesian true prevalence, 2.4%; 95% CrI: 1.3–4.0%) individual dogs’ feces collected during August and September 2012 were qPCR positive for Em. Sequencing two of these cases indicated that both were from the same Em European strain responsible for human infections in Alberta. Likelihood of intestinal Em was 5.6-times higher in hounds than other breeds, 4.6-times higher in dogs leashed at dog parks than those allowed off-leash, 3.1-times higher in dogs often kept in the backyard during spring and summer months than those rarely in the yard, and 3.3-times higher in dogs living in neighbourhoods bordering Bowmont park than those in other areas of Calgary. This situation warrants surveillance of dog infections as a preventative measure to reduce infections in North America.

Risk Factors Associated with Soil-Transmitted Helminths in Dog Feces That Contaminate Public Areas of Warsaw, Poland

A constant increase in dog numbers, especially in large towns, has been observed recently. The presence of dogs in urban spaces increases the risk of pollution by dogs’ feces, which may contain growth forms of parasites including canine, soil-transmitted helminths (cSTHs), most of which have a proven zoonotic potential. This study assessed the frequency of occurrence and estimated the potential risk associated with the presence of cSTHs in dogs’ feces left uncollected in urban areas. The study material consisted of 200 fecal samples obtained from city and dog parks situated in selected Warsaw districts. Each fecal sample was processed using the flotation technique. Eggs of cSTHs, including Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Trichuris vulpis, and hookworms from the Ancylostomatidae family were found in 23 (11.5%) of the examined fecal samples. The most prevalent species were hookworms from the family Ancylostomatidae (8%). The presence of parasites was confirmed in 14 out of 20 studied locations (70%), including eight city parks (72.7%) and six dog parks (66.7%). City and dog parks did not differ significantly in the frequency of parasite occurrence. This study indicated that dogs’ feces, left uncollected, may cause environmental contamination with cSTHs. It also indicated that the presence of dogs’ feces in public areas and the associated presence of parasites is still a problem.

“Didn’t that sound like the north was calling us?” Imagined geographies and Cold War legacies in Sofi Oksanen’s Dog Park (Koirapuisto)

The article presents a discussion of Finnish-Estonian author Sofi Oksanen’s 2019 novel Dog Park (Koirapuisto), a social and psychological thriller about two Ukrainian women working in the Ukrainian fertility industry, offering surrogacy services to Western clients. The novel explores some of the new modes of exchange and cultural encounter that were established between Ukraine and the West after the collapse of the Soviet Union. It presents a reflection of the social and human consequences of the transition from communism to capitalism but is also a story of how the legacy of Cold War geopolitics continues to shape European mental geographies and experiences at the intersection of East and West. Drawing on concepts from human geography and postcolonial studies, the article offers a reading of Oksanen’s novel focusing especially on how the novel negotiates these geopolitical shifts as well as the position of the Nordic countries on the changing European map.

Focus Groups of Park Administrators and Residents Regarding Dog Park Development and Success: A Case Study in Norfolk, Virginia

Two focus groups were conducted as part of a case study to reflect on dog park success in Norfolk, Virginia. One focus group included administrators from Norfolk Parks and Recreation dog park staff. The second focus group included member residents from neighborhood civic leagues or dog park associations. Two general guiding questions for the focus groups were: (a) What are the essential aspects of successful dog parks? and (b) What policies and procedures were developed for dog parks? Topical areas reflecting the first question included essential aspects of successful dog parks and the general benefits of dog parks. Topical areas reflecting the second question included the reasons why dog parks were established in Norfolk and the policies and procedures for establishing dog parks. City administrators and residents participating in the focus groups agreed overall about why dog parks were established in Norfolk—in response to a community need due to dense population, small yards, and apartment buildings. There was agreement between both groups regarding amenities that make dog parks successful—fencing, water, and shade; however, other amenities for success varied according to structural or functional aspects. Despite the similarities in the two focus group discussions about reasons for dog park establishment, the discussions diverged once researchers asked about policies related to the establishment and maintenance of dog parks. Residents expressed frustration with being charged with half of the establishment and upkeep of the dog park. The discussion followed frameworks of public engagement, power dynamics, and co-production/co-governance. Management implications include revisiting or adjusting policies related to dog park development (including fundraising), taking into consideration a highly transient population and its implications for dog park association leadership, consideration of a dog park liaison, and problems associated with unfenced dog parks. Norfolk dog parks were found to be highly successful and civic leaders noted Norfolk park administrators have been responsive to resident needs, and they were given an opportunity for feedback on the process.

Associations between canine hookworm infection and dog owners' awareness, perception, and behaviour: A cross-sectional study in Brisbane, Queensland, 2019-2020.

Canine hookworms are found globally, and infections have been recorded in domestic dogs visiting dog parks in Queensland, Australia. Some canine hookworms also present a risk of zoonotic transmission to humans. Potential transmission of hookworms can occur in the household and at public places because of lack of owner awareness and poor coverage of canine deworming. Between April 2019 and March 2020, faecal samples from owned dogs were collected from 39 dog parks in metropolitan Brisbane, Queensland, and tested for the presence of hookworm eggs using faecal floatation technique. Dog owners who provided samples were requested to complete a survey on their awareness, perceptions and behaviour regarding the risks and consequences of canine parasitic infection. Associations between dog owner demographics and responses to the survey were measured using Goodman and Kruskal's gamma. Statistical associations between canine hookworm infection in dogs and their owner's responses were quantified using a two-sample Wilcoxon rank-sum test. A total of five canine faecal samples from 175 respondents were found positive for hookworm eggs, corresponding to a sample- and park-level prevalence of 2.86% and 12.82%, respectively. Female dog owners were found to be more aware of the importance of regular deworming of their dogs (|γ| = 0.405). Our results indicate that hookworm infection was associated with a lower awareness of the importance of deworming (p = 0.007), less diligence in administration of deworming (p = 0.004), lower awareness of the risk of acquiring parasites from raw meat (p = 0.010), less likelihood of cooking meat before feeding it to their dogs (p = 0.028), and less likelihood to properly dispose their dog's faeces (p = 0.027). This study not only indicates a need for improving owner education towards the importance of deworming but also a need for changing owner's behaviours to reduce potential environmental contamination with infective hookworms. The latter in particular indicates a broader public health risk of disease transmission in public places due to improper disposal of dog faeces, especially in areas with higher canine hookworm infections.

Small, Cathy A. (with JasonKordosky &amp; RossMoore). The man in the dog park: coming up close to homelessness. x, 186 pp., fig., bibliogr. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell Univ. Press, 2020. £19.99 (cloth)

Journal of the Royal Anthropological InstituteEarly View Book and film reviews Small, , , Cathy A. (with Jason Kordosky & Ross Moore). The man in the dog park: coming up close to homelessness. x, 186 pp., fig., bibliogr. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell Univ. Press, 2020. £19.99 (cloth) Johannes Lenhard, Johannes Lenhard University of CambridgeSearch for more papers by this author Johannes Lenhard, Johannes Lenhard University of CambridgeSearch for more papers by this author First published: 29 March 2023 https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9655.13932Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Early ViewOnline Version of Record before inclusion in an issue RelatedInformation

Helpful Neighbors: Leveraging Neighbors in Geographic Feature Pronunciation

Abstract If one sees the place name Houston Mercer Dog Run in New York, how does one know how to pronounce it? Assuming one knows that Houston in New York is pronounced /ˈhaʊstən/ and not like the Texas city (/ˈhjuːstən/), then one can probably guess that /ˈhaʊstən/ is also used in the name of the dog park. We present a novel architecture that learns to use the pronunciations of neighboring names in order to guess the pronunciation of a given target feature. Applied to Japanese place names, we demonstrate the utility of the model to finding and proposing corrections for errors in Google Maps. To demonstrate the utility of this approach to structurally similar problems, we also report on an application to a totally different task: Cognate reflex prediction in comparative historical linguistics. A version of the code has been open-sourced.1

Parki dla psów w Warszawie – przestrzenie integracji społecznej czy subtelnej izolacji?

Modern metropolises, such as Warsaw, are dynamically transforming their urban spaces to meet the evolving needs of their residents, both human and animal. One manifestation of these changes is the development of infrastructure dedicated to pets, including dog parks. The aim of this article is to analyze the distribution, accessibility, and functions of dog parks in Warsaw, as well as to assess their role in social integration and potential isolation of users. The field study included the inventory and mapping of 16 parks, as well as in-depth interviews with their users. The results showed that dog parks play a crucial role in the urban ecosystem, contributing to the building of social bonds, although they may be perceived as exclusionary spaces by those who prefer to walk their dogs freely. The article provides valuable insights into the development of pet-friendly urban infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of considering user feedback in the planning and modernization of these spaces.

Benefits and Conflicts: A Systematic Review of Dog Park Design and Management Strategies.

Simple SummaryDog parks contribute physical and social benefits for both canines and their owners, especially during and since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, dogs in public places can create various conflicts. Growing numbers of scholars have explored strategies for effective park design and management. This systematic study synthesizes and analyze the benefits, conflicts, and strategies for the design and management of dog parks according to the PRISMA guidelines. Based on the summary of conflicts between canines, humans, and their environment, we present design and management guidance for dog parks to effectively mitigate these conflicts while enhancing the benefits of off-leash areas. While this study promotes a sustainable and healthy coexistence of canines and residents of built environments through appropriate design and management strategies, several research and practice gaps have been identified from the results, such as the dearth of experimental evidence and limitations of the physical benefits of dog parks. These research gaps provide opportunities for experts to address in future.Dog ownership and dog walking brings various health benefits for urban dwellers, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, but trigger a number of controversies. Dog parks have become increasingly significant public resources in the pandemic to support these benefits while facing intense conflicts. To develop effective dog parks in urban settings, growing numbers of scholars have provided insights into the design and management strategies for addressing the benefits and conflicts. The objective of this study is to synthesize and analyze various aspects of dog park design and management and to assess identified strategies for enhancing their benefits while mitigating their drawbacks. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic study was conducted to synthesize the benefits, conflicts, and management strategies of dog parks, supported by Citespace. Benefits and conflicts in dog park design and management have been synthesized and organized according to their frequency of presence and the statistical results. We analyzed and assessed existing design and management strategies. Through this systematic study, we discovered the need obtain o po experimental evidence on effective dog park design and management to enhance their benefits while mitigating their sources of conflict and limitations in the intensity of park visitors’ physical activity in off-leash areas. Guidelines for the design and management strategies for effective dog parks were made to enhance their benefits while alleviating conflicts in the future development of sustainable dog parks that promote healthy relationships between canines and residents in urban built environments.

Faecal prevalence, distribution and risk factors associated with canine soil-transmitted helminths contaminating urban parks across Australia

Dog parks provide an ideal urban space where dogs and their owners can exercise, play, and socialise in a safe environment. However, these parks can also increase the risk of exposure to a series of infectious agents including canine soil-transmitted helminths (cSTHs) such as hookworms, roundworms, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Trichuris vulpis, which are endemic to Australia. In this study, we collected 1581 canine faecal samples in 190 urban parks across Australia and subjected these to faecal floatation and multiplex real-time PCRs (qPCR) to detect a range of cSTHs. In total, 44.2% of the parks sampled were contaminated with at least one species of cSTH, with hookworms being the most prevalent parasites (10.2%) followed by Trichuris spp. (1.3%) and Strongyloides spp. (1.2%). This is the first large-scale study investigating the contamination of urban parks with cSTHs in Australia, and the first nation-wide study to demonstrate the occurrence of Strongyloides spp. in canine faecal samples from urban areas in the country. This study reveals a high rate of contamination with cSTHs in dog parks in urban Australia, most of which having proven zoonotic potential. Preventive measures, including awareness-raising educational programmes promoting responsible pet ownership, should be encouraged to minimise the health risks associated with cSTHs for both dogs and humans.

Canine nematode and Giardia spp. infections in dogs in Edmonton, Alberta, the “CANIDA” study

BackgroundCanine intestinal parasite prevalence may be influenced by geographical region, age, and health status of the dog. Behaviors such as predation, scavenging, or roaming as well as routine administration of anthelmintics also play a role. The purpose of this study was to evaluate fecal test results using zinc sulfate flotation by centrifugation combined with coproantigen testing directed at protein antigens excreted or secreted by hookworms (Ancylostoma spp. Uncinaria stenocephala), ascarids (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris spp. Baylisascaris spp.), whipworms (Trichuris vulpis), and Giardia spp. during active infection in owned dogs visiting dog parks in Western Canada.MethodsA total of 774 participants were recruited from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Canine fecal samples were collected from seven dedicated off-leash dog parks. Participating dog owners responded to a questionnaire regarding their dogs’ signalment, previous veterinary history, and use of parasite-preventive products. Fecal samples were tested using zinc sulfate centrifugation combined with coproantigen testing.ResultsThe overall prevalence of canine intestinal parasites in client-owned dogs was similar to previous studies conducted in the US. Mean age of dogs tested was 4 years, with puppies and older dogs having higher rates of infection than the mean. Fecal flotation centrifugation found 3.2% hookworm, ascarid, whipworm, and Giardia spp.-positive infections. Coproantigen testing identified 5.8% positive infections, including all of the above that were detected using fecal flotation centrifugation.ConclusionsCoproantigen testing detected more hookworm, ascarid, whipworm, and Giardia spp.-positive samples in addition to detecting all positive results found using fecal flotation centrifugation. Fecal flotation centrifugation combined with coproantigen testing improves sensitivity over flotation alone and may detect pre-patent or sub-clinical infections in dogs visiting public dog parks.Graphical

반려견 산책 및 운동을 위한 근린환경 인식 및 만족도 연구†

Animal companionship is gaining popularity in Korea, and interest in dog walking is also increasing as a strategy to maintain the physical and mental health of dogs and dog owners. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perception and satisfaction of dog owners with the neighborhood environments for dog walking and to examine the willingness to pay (WTP) for an off-leash dog park. Of a total of 249 online survey respondents, 47.8% said they take a walk at least once a day and mainly walk around nearby neighborhoods or parks. Respondents showed a high attachment to their dogs and recognized that dog walks help increase physical activity and maintain the health of owners and their dogs. The satisfaction with neighborhood environments, such as attractive views and the connection of walking trails, was low, and there was a high demand for off-leash dog parks. The truncated mean WTP was estimated to be 85,618 Korean Won, and the result of regression analysis and t-test revealed that walking frequency and the satisfaction with dog walking facilities were statistically significant in the WTP. In order to encourage dog walking to promote physical activity and health, more attention needs to be devoted to improving neighborhood environments for dog walking.

Occurrence and potential transmission of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing extraintestinal pathogenic and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli in domestic dog faeces from Minnesota.

Interactions between humans and pets are increasingly valued in western countries, leading to more extensive contact between humans and their pets within households. Although the magnitude of the risk of transfer of Escherichia coli between humans and their companion animals is undefined, that such transmission occurs has been established and warrants attention. This study examined 186 fresh faecal samples from companion dogs visiting 22 municipal dog parks in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metropolitan area, Minnesota, USA. Samples were processed to isolate 3rd-generation cephalosporin-resistant E.coli, which were further characterized using PCR-based virulence genotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility profiling and whole-genome sequencing. Of the 186 faecal samples, 29% yielded cephalosporin-resistant E.coli, and 2.2% yielded extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers. Co-resistance to sulfonamides was typical (77.3% of isolates), and multidrug resistance (i.e. to ≥3 antimicrobial classes), including to combinations of tetracyclines, phenicols, quinolones and aminoglycosides, was substantial (18.9% of isolates). Identified beta-lactamase genes included blaCMY-2 , blaTEM-1B , blaTEM-1 , blaCTX-M-24 , blaCTX-M-15 and blaOXA-1 . Genome sequencing of 14 isolates identified genes typical of extraintestinal pathogenic E.coli or enteropathogenic E.coli. In three instances, closely related isolates were recovered from different dogs, within either the same park-suggesting transfer of E.coli between dogs within the park-or different parks-suggesting that dogs may be pre-disposed to carry certain E.coli types, such as those from serogroups O4, O71 and O157. This study adds to the existing evidence that companion dogs can harbour and share antimicrobial-resistant E.coli with presumed intestinal or extraintestinal pathogenic potential.

Precursory Prevention: Togetherness for Better Health

Precursory Prevention: Togetherness for Better Health