8 minute read
Memoriam
Dr. Julie R. Butler posthumously honored for 31 years of animal care in Harlem
Marisol Rodríguez I interviewed Dr. Julie R. Butler just one month before her passing. The following photos on this page were taken in early March and statements from Dr. Butler are from that interview: Dr. Julie Butler opened the doors to the 145th Street Animal Hospital on April Fool’s day 1989 and for 31 years she provided “professional care my children where my people live. It was very important for me to be in a neighborhood like Harlem so that I could attain both of those goals,” she commented.
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Dr. Butler was drawn to veterinary medicine through her love for biology and life sciences. As a child she watched Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, a television her cat Suki from an appointment when she was interviewed.
Dr. Julie R. Butler, DVM
with a personal touch” in the Sugar Hill district of Harlem until her passing in March 2020. Harlem Community News had planned to honor Dr. Butler on March 19 th with a Women Business Owner Award at this year’s Harlem Community Newspapers’ Uptown Women Business Owners Luncheon, an event rescheduled due to COVID-19. This award is presented to women who have demonstrated courage and perseverance by maintaining long-standing businesses in Harlem.
Being a black woman business owner and resident of the Harlem community is something Dr. Butler did not take for granted. “I always wanted to work where my people live and I always wanted to raise
program on air from the 1960- 1980s about wildlife and nature. Dr. Butler emphatically stated, “Anything that had to do with life sciences I was reading it.”
She greatly enjoyed the diversity of species she worked with and the variety of skills she utilized as a veterinarian. “I don’t have to be subject to one specialty--- I can be an internist, I can be a surgeon, I can be a dentist, I can be a cardiologist, I can be whatever I want to be depending on the case that comes in,” said Dr. Butler.
A graduate of Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Butler brings both an ivy league education and over 36 years of experience to clients like Francine Frazier, who was picking up in Educational Leadership at Columbia’s Teachers College. Supporting black business is just one of the reasons she has stayed a loyal client; she also recognized Dr. Butler’s excellent care.
Dr. Butler examines Suki’s x-ray at the 145th Street Animal Hospital
Frazier, who hails from Texas, first met Dr. Butler 20 years ago when she was a graduate student at Columbia University and brought in her dog Oddie to the hospital. She has recently moved back to New York and is working on her thesis towards a PhD
“It’s nice to see a family business that is black owned, it’s just positive all around, that’s the blessing of being in Harlem.” said Frazier. “I know when she tells me something, it’s the best, I don’t doubt her, I don’t second guess her, I know it’s quality because she’s quality,” said Frazier.
A typical day for Dr. Butler included treating dogs and cats, but she also served reptile, bird, rodent and rabbit patients. Her office provides preventative care, including annual exams with vaccina
(Left to Right) Claude Howard, Dr. Butler, Zachery Butler-Jones, Kylie Lang
tions; behavioral consults; pediatric and geriatric care; orthopedics; diagnostics, including lab work, radiology and electrocardiograms; as well as cardiology and simple oncology, such as tumor removal.
Dr. Butler’s seasonal tips for pet owners include: (1) Make sure to give your dog heartworm preventative medication to prevent heartworms, which is transmitted through mosquitoes. (2) Keep a vigilant eye on what is going into your pet’s mouth, especially during the holidays like Easter when chocolate, plastic Easter eggs and lily plants can cause fatal damage to your dog or cat. (3) Be mindful of your pet’s diet. “We see a lot of obese animals, owners should measure out the food rather than just pouring food in the bowl, hoping your animal will self-regulate itself,” said Dr. Butler.
Dr. Butler raised her two creative children: Alex, a chef and Zora, an actress/writer, with her husband Claude Howard, the office manager of the Animal Hospital. Her nephew Zachery Butler-Jones started volunteering at the hospital as a teen and is now a Veterinari
Harlem Community Newspapers | May 21. 2020 13 an assistant there.
One of Butler’s former volunteers, Dr. Erika Gibson, has become the first African-American board-certified veterinary neurosurgeon. Dr. Butler knew Gibson was special when she decided on her own to create a drawer filled with supplies to treat animals in an emergency situation. “I was like okay, she’s going to be a veterinarian for real, that really impressed me,” she commented.
Over the 31 years Dr. Butler served the community she learned to be confident in herself, even when she received negative criticism: “When I first got here I felt like I had to please everybody and over the years I realized that’s impossible...I decided I was going to be me and that’s who I am and my clients are just going to have to accept that. This is not a cookie-cutter-type place. Everyone has their own individual problems and challenges and we approach that animal and client in that way.”
Dr. Butler at the examination table with Suki
By: W.A.Rogers
During this current public health crisis, there will be a large increase in those experiencing some degree of anxiety and depression. How ever, many hold little knowledge over the difference between the two mental health conditions. A major reason leading to this con fusion is the close relationship between the two. Research shows that 50% of individuals diagnosed with anxiety disorder may have some depression systems and vice versa.
Depression should not be con fused with short term feelings of sadness and unhappiness, for it is a long-term disorder. Those who are diagnosed with depression usually experience feelings of sadness that affect their ability to perform activities over a long pe riod of time. Possible symptoms of depression include depressive moods, a lack of energy or moti vation, increased or decreased appetite, insomnia or hypersomnia, feelings of worthlessness, and/or suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Anxiety can also last for long periods of time. It often develops from a discrete or ongoing trau matic experience like the current COVID-19 pandemic. Anxiety is an emotional response that can develop in many ways. Possible symptoms include excessive wor rying, restlessness, fatigue, lack of concentration, irritability, in somnia, and muscle soreness.
Many of the systems of anx iety and depression overlap, yet there are some features that dis tinguish the two. People who suffer from anxiety disorder tend to fear future events and become more hyper. Those who suffer from depression are not as hyper and often carry a negative attitude towards the future. They are not worried about the future because they believe it will not change their current mood.
It is safe to say many people now suffer from symptoms of anx iety, a feeling of concern about the future. Not only for themselves and their loved ones, but about the world’s new normal. This anxiety will increase the level of stress, which in turn, may manifest health problems and lead to more severe cases of depression.
Antidepressant medications, such as selective serotonin re uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to treat depression, have often been used for anxiety patients. The problem with antidepressant medications is they often have side effects, and some can be addictive. This ex plains why many individuals now seek natural options to address depression and anxiety disorders.
The legalization of hemp products in 2018 allowed the use of cannabidiol oils (CBD) to be come a popular and natural option to pharmaceutical based medica tions. Here are a few reasons why the use of CBD oils to address depression and anxiety has con tinued to grow.
CBD oils are not additive nor are they psychoactive (will not get you high). They have little to no reported side effects. A recent study in the Journal of Affective Disorders finds that cannabis, both hemp and marijuana, can reduce feelings of depression and anxiety.
CBD oils have been proven successful in modulating the bod ies CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors help regulate mood, memory, appetite, sleep, pain, and cardiovascular function. These receptors are mostly found in the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).
CB2 receptors are mostly found in the blood and immune cells which are responsible for identifying and destroying vi ruses, bacteria, and cancer cells. CBD oil can also interact with several other receptor routes. Re search has shown that CBD positively affects over 60 molecular pathways in the body.
Studies show that CBD prod ucts have shown progress in reducing inflammation, anxiety, pain, tumor growths and stress. It also elevates moods and protects against free radical damage. CBD products have also been success fully used to address diabetes, epilepsy, cancer, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
CBD is not a “cure all” health miracle, nor is it an over night solution to anxiety and depression. However, it is a use ful natural tool to help improve your quality of life along with a well-balanced diet and an overall healthy lifestyle. Not all CBD and hemp products are the same. One should only try to use CBD and hemp products that are US Hemp Authority Certified. This way, it is ensured that the product has been mentored from seed to shelf.
Visit the Onuwon Wellness Group’s online hemp store at www.mydailychoice.com/onu wonwellness to learn more about CBD products. If you decide to become a member, you can pur chase them at wholesale prices. Send an email to onuwon@gmail. com for further information on the benefits of CBD products.
Answers to Puzzle on page 16
Dr. George Williams
