Animals are wonderful creatures that give a lot of life to the planet. Renowned Dr. Jan Pol advocates for all of them in his Nat Geo Wild reality television series, The Incredible Dr. Pol. He is a veterinarian who specializes in large farm animals and has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million.
Early Life
Jan-Harm Pol was born on September 4, 1942, in a province in the Netherlands called Wateren, Drenthe. He is the youngest of six children and grew up on a dairy farm.
Since the age of 12, he wanted to become a veterinarian after assisting with the delivery of piglet waste. In 1961, he had the chance to participate in a study abroad program, which took him to Michigan, United States.
For a year, the Dutch youngster was a foreign exchange student at Mayville High School. He returned to the Netherlands and studied veterinary medicine at Utrecht University, graduating in 1970.
Veterinary Career
After getting his degree, Pol relocated to the US permanently and initially resided in Harbor Beach, Michigan. Here he worked with a local established vet.
He became a trusted employee at the clinic, and honed his skills there for ten years. Eventually, Pol moved to Weidman to start his own practice. In 1981, Jan launched Pol Veterinary Services with his wife and family.
Jan handled a wide range of pets, but his expertise was with big farm animals. Over time the clinic became popular in Michigan, serving over 25,000 clients in 30 years.
Reality TV
Pol’s son, Charles, pitched the idea of a reality series that follows daily life at a veterinary clinic to the National Geographic network. They loved the concept, and The Incredible Dr. Pol began airing in 2011.
The show became a huge hit on Nat Geo Wild, which was a big surprise to the doctor. Because of its success, the show produced two seasons per year and has filmed over 24 seasons in total. However, it wasn’t all good news.
In 2014, the Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine fined Dr. Jan Pol $500 and suspended his license for failing to wear the necessary clothing for treatment. Thankfully, the sentence was overturned the following year, and Pol continues to practice today.
Net Worth and Earnings
According to Gazette Review, the celebrity veterinarian earns $30,000 per episode on The Incredible Dr. Pol. As his series remains a popular show on Nat Geo Wild, that figure is expected to grow in the coming seasons.
Apart from reality television, Jan earns a lot from a bestselling book, Never Turn Your Back on an Angus Cow. He also hosts a podcast called The Incredible Dr. Polcast. Additionally, Dr. Pol has ventured into merchandising, offering various pet care products through his clinic and online platforms, which contribute to his $1.5 million fortune.
Personal Life
Jan is married to Diane Pol, whom he met as a foreign exchange student in Michigan. They adopted three children together: Charles, Kathy, and Diane Jr. Despite some rumors, Dr. Pol is alive and still lives with his wife in Weidman.
