The isolation many felt at the start of the pandemic sparked a wave of pet adoptions and a business idea between three friends.
Julien Phifer, Delvante “Dell” Tatum, and Tiera Trammell started a business creating CBD treats to help calm anxious animals in the area. Today, they want to develop their activity.
Two Birds One Stone is a holistic pet wellness startup that sells homemade products. CBD Oil Infused Pet Treats. Just like products available for human consumption, CBD oil is not the same as THCthe active ingredient in marijuana and does not cause a high.
It’s not that it kicks your dog out. It allows them to sit there and not be anxious, worrying about what’s going on in the house,” said Tatum, 30, who also owns a gecko lizard, two turtles and a Chihuahua mix. yorkie named Louie.
The childhood friends already make edibles for themselves and knew that CBD oil works in both humans and pets thanks to research. The trio want to help pet owners understand that the health and well-being of their pets is directly linked to their own.
“When you live with your pet, your pet acts like you,” said Phifer, 29, owner of two American bullies, Kingsley and Indigo. “When you’re down, they’re down. When you’re up, they’re up. When your anxieties are at their peak – you may not be paying attention because you’re dealing with yourself – theirs are too.”
Most black pet owners are unaware that they can use CBD oil to improve their pet’s health and well-being.
“We help our community understand that pets are stressors and find ways to keep them calm and happy as they would like to be themselves,” Tatum said.
The pet treats are part of a larger vision for the trio, who dream of opening a pet store in one of Milwaukee’s predominantly black neighborhoods. Right now, they say, there is a pet store desert in the black community, and none of these businesses are owned by people of color. Young entrepreneurs want to fill this void.
They want the store to be more than just a place where residents can buy chew toys, kitty litter or pet supplies. They want the store to be a one-stop shop for buying CBD products ranging from flowers or buds and edibles to handmade body creams, candles, incense and essential oils from local designers.
“We always wanted those two things together,” Phifer said, noting that’s the concept behind their company name.
With any new start-up business, access to capital to start the community pet store is a major hurdle. Phifer visits local dog parks and farmers markets to hand out samples. He follows up with pet owners to see if it worked and if they would be interested in buying it. Reviews, he said, vary, with some owners saying their dogs were “cooler and calmer”, while others saw no difference.
The treats come in four flavors, including a no-bake oatmeal and honey treat, chilli and frozen strawberry treats, and a cookie-like dog biscuit also made with yams.
“We’re pretty much trying to raise awareness and see if it’s a success or not,” Phifer said. “So far, so good.”
The trio have Phifer’s brother to thank for initiating this long-simmering business idea. Phifer’s brother, Terrence Banks, adopted an adult German Shepherd named Chance. But being locked in the house during the pandemic wasn’t good for the dog, who Phifer said was nervous.
“My brother is in the military, and he really couldn’t stay home with the dog all the time. It was a lot for the dog to adapt,” said Phifer, who is pursuing a master’s degree in sustainable peacebuilding at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and is graduating in 2020.
Phifer offered to make oil-infused treats – a chewy treat made with peanut butter and sweet potatoes.
“It really eased his anxieties,” he said.
More research is needed on the effectiveness of cannabinoids in pets, says Dr. Tina Wismer, DVM, of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Although these products have been shown to be effective in treating pain, inflammatory diseases and osteoporosis in humans, there is no known appropriate dosage for companion animals, said Wismer, senior director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
“Marijuana and hemp are promoted to treat several different types of ailments in pets, ranging from anxiety and pain to anorexia and seizures,” Wismer said. “Unfortunately, scientific data on these uses in companion animals is very scarce.”
Wismer warned that some CBD products may contain small amounts of THC, which can harm animals. Side effects include vomiting, diarrhea as well as lethargy and disorientation with excessive consumption.
“We know that animals don’t react well to products containing THC. With an overdose of CBD products, pets can develop signs of THC intoxication,” Wismer said.
It is more than just a business venture for entrepreneurs. It’s a call for them to make black people more aware of pet ownership. A misconception, they say, exists that black people don’t treat their pets well.
“We have pets and we treat them well too,” said Tatum, who works as an event planner and is a father of three. “A lot of people think only white people treat their pets like family, but so do we. We love our pets. We do whatever it takes to keep them happy.
Some of the misconceptions come from the media, which often portrays black pet owners as having aggressive dogs, added Trammell, 29, a parent of two French Bullbogs. There’s a perception that black people train dogs to fight dogs or be guard dogs, especially for certain breeds like Pitbulls or German Shepherds, she said.
“Our dogs are not aggressive,” Phifer said. “They are not going to attack the children. They won’t attack old ladies. We have control over our dogs. We’re just trying to eliminate that stigma.
“It’s important to show that black people love their pets,” Trammell said. “They treat their pets like their own children and take care of them as much as they take care of their own children. This reverses this media representation.
Follow them on Instagram @2birds1stone21 for inquiries and upcoming pop-up events.
La Risa Lynch is a community affairs reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Email him at lynch@gannett.com
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