Animals are wonderful creatures that give a lot of life to this planet. The 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. As of 2022, Dr. Jan Pol has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million.
Early Life
Jan-Harm Pol was born in a province in the Netherlands called Wateren, Drenthe. His birthday is September 4, 1942 and he is the youngest of six children who grew up on a dairy farm.
He first realized he wanted to be a veterinarian when he was 12 years old when 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 one year, the Dutch youngster became 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 decided to relocate to the US for good. He first resided in Harbor Beach, Michigan, where he was hired to work with a locally established vet.
He became a trusted employee in the clinic, and he honed his skills there for about ten years. Eventually, he moved to Weidman, Isabella County, to start his own practice.
In 1981, Jan launched Pol Veterinary Services with his wife and family. He handled a wide range of pets, but his expertise was with big farm animals. His clinic became very popular in Michigan, having over 25,000 clients in 30 years.
Reality TV
Pol’s son, Charles, pitched the idea of making a reality series following the daily life of a veterinary clinic to the National Geographic network. It was accepted, and The Incredible Dr. Pol started airing in 2011.
It became a hit show on Nat Geo Wild, which was a big surprise to the doctor. Because of its success, the show produced two seasons a year. Currently, it has premiered 20 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 top show on Nat Geo Wild, that figure is expected to grow in the coming seasons.
Apart from reality television, Jan earns a lot from his bestselling book, Never Turn Your Back on an Angus Cow. He also hosts a podcast titled The Incredible Dr. Polcast. Of course, his income from his practice is a major factor in his $1.5 million fortune.
Personal Life
Jan is the husband of 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 well. He’s living with his wife in Weidman, Michigan.
