Animal care shows featuring veterinarians come and go, but The Incredible Dr. Pol built a loyal audience by showing the realities of large-animal work. Part of that appeal came from Dr. Brenda Grettenberger, whose calm and direct style made her one of the show’s standout vets.
Because she appeared less often at times, some fans wondered whether she had left. She remained part of the cast through the show’s later seasons, and Brenda is still credited in 2024 episodes. However, The Incredible Dr. Pol ended its run in 2024, so there are no new episodes to expect.
Is Dr. Grettenberger Still on the Show?
Grettenberger has been working with Dr. Pol for nearly three decades, so the idea that their professional relationship would end because of disputes about the show would be a serious stretch.
This was confirmed by Dr. Pol’s son, Charles, who certainly should know given that he’s the executive producer for the show. During a Facebook Live event in June 2021, he reassured fans that she would be appearing in Season 19.
Financially, it would seem tough to give up the money generated by a gig like Dr. Pol, but Grettenberger doesn’t seem motivated by the money side of the show.
Her net worth is estimated at somewhere in the neighborhood of $300,000 to $800,000, and since then the 59-year old veterinarian has spent decades working in a lucrative profession. The money she earned from appearing with Dr. Pol was a lucrative side hustle for her, something she does as part of their passion rather than any serious financial motive.
Early Days
Born in 1967 in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, Grettenberger grew up on a dairy farm, so it was only natural for her to begin offering veterinary services at an early age.
She did wait to become a vet officially, though. Grettenberger attended the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 1992. After that she began working at Pol Veterinary Services.
Grettenberger did land the gig by answering a help wanted ad in a prominent veterinary journal, which is very much a Dr. Brenda thing to do if you’ve seen the show.
Her relationship with Dr. Pol is unique in the sense that she’s been friends with the vet for a long time. Occasionally, she’ll go off and take care of real life things for extended stretches when necessary.
A Different Approach
Regardless of how often she turns up, Grettenberger’s appearances on the show are special.
It’s unusual to see her reach inside a cow to deal with a problem, and her matter-of-fact approach to life-and-death situations with Dr. Pol’s patients can be mesmerizing.
Good luck finding out more about her, though. Grettenberger takes considerable pains to keep her private life private. She doesn’t do social media in any meaningful way, which means fans have to rely on show announcements to get any information about her ongoing status.
She is married, however, and Grettenberger definitely has a sense of humor. Brenda lists her hobbies as “dancing, reading, and training her oxen to pull wagons,” so if you happen to be in that part of Michigan and you see a team heading your way, you’ll very much know who’s large and in charge, so to speak.
