An Animal Education Advocate

Specializing in large farm animals, Dr. Pol treats all animals from cats and dogs to horses, pigs, cows, sheep, alpacas, goats, chickens, and even an occasional reindeer. He believes every child should grow up with a furry friend, and that pet ownership makes children responsible adults.

For the Love of Farm and Family

A true friend of the farmer, Dr. Pol works tirelessly to ensure that the diminishing population of family farmers remains in business. He plays an integral role in keeping farmers’ livestock healthy and their businesses profitable. Dr. Pol is also a passionate advocate for animal education through 4-H and the National Future Farmers of America organization, today he remains dedicated to helping family farms thrive.

As the youngest of six children growing up in the Netherlands, Jan Pol lived among dairy cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, geese, turkeys, rabbits, dogs and Friesian horses. From age 12 when he helped deliver a litter of piglets on his family’s dairy farm, Jan knew he wanted to become a veterinarian. A year-long study abroad program in high school took him to Mayville, Michigan, USA. There, he met Diane, who after years of friendship and blossoming love, would become his wife. The couple have now been married for over 50 years. He graduated from the prestigious Utrecht University Veterinary program in 1970 and immigrated to the United States in 1971.

Ten years into his career working with a local vet, Dr. Pol was eager to begin his own practice. He moved to Weidman, Michigan in 1981 and founded Pol Veterinary Services out of his garage with his wife Diane. With a down-to-earth, practical approach to veterinary medicine, Dr. Pol grew his practice from a humble start to one with over 25,000 clients. Thirty-eight years later, Dr. Pol and his clinic staff continue to care for their rural Michigan clientele.

In Living Rooms Around the World

In 2011, “The Incredible Dr. Pol” debuted on Nat Geo WILD and currently airs in over 100 countries around the world, and is the #1 show on the network. In the series, viewers have the opportunity to travel with Dr. Pol across central Michigan’s farmland as he tirelessly cares for family pets and farm animals in need of his expertise and kindness.

In 2019, Dr. Pol teamed up with RTL4 to bring his rural American veterinary clinic into the living rooms of his home country, the Netherlands, with “In de Voetsporen van Dr. Pol.” The very popular reality series, which translates to “In the Footsteps of Dr. Pol,” sees a group of Dutch veterinarians competing for a dream job of joining Dr. Pol’s practice while adapting to country life in Michigan.

Watch on Nat Geo Wild Watch on Disney+

BEYOND TELEVISION

Never Turn Your Back on an Angus Cow

Dr. Pol is the author of the best-selling book, Never Turn Your Back on an Angus Cow—My Life as a Country Vet, a memoir that recounts amusing, and often poignant, tales from his illustrious and incredible 45+ year veterinary career.

He has taken his stories to the stage, headlining tours of sold-out shows throughout the Netherlands.

In December of 2019, Dr. Pol launched his first line of branded products including Dog, Cat, Horse, Chicken, Goat and Rabbit food, with more exciting announcements on the way.

Discover & Learn with Dr. Pol

When You Hear Hoofbeats, Think Horses, Not Zebras

Grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair, and let’s talk animals, One of the [...]

Dr. Pol with his line of dog and cat food

Why I Created My Own Dog Food

For Dr. Pol, caring for animals has always meant looking beyond the veterinary clinic, including what [...]

Dr. Pol messes around with his film crew.

I’m Not a Movie Star… I’m a Veterinarian

Grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair, and let’s talk animals. People sometimes ask [...]

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