Since its premiere in 2011, The Incredible Dr. Pol has been chronicling the adventures
of veterinarian - Dr. Jan Pol and his staff, who have built quite
a reputation for treating a wide variety of animals with utmost kindness and care.
As the show celebrated its 22nd season earlier this January,
we are taking a closer look at Dr. Pol and some of his talented staff
members who make up the incredible cast of The Incredible Dr. Pol.
Jan Pol
The flag bearer of the - Pol Vet Services, Jan Pol, has become a beloved public figure
for his old-school, no-nonsense approach to veterinary medicine. The 80-year-old,
who began the clinic in 1981 after moving to Michigan,
has made the most appearances with 219 credits under his belt in its 11-year run.
Last season Dr. Pol invited a group of local military veterans to join him on a trip to
Washington D.C. to visit World War II and Vietnam War Memorials. The reality star,
who has ventured into the food business, launched several new products,
including new pet food and treat products under his Incredi-Pol brand this year.
Despite his immense popularity and unrelenting determination toward animal
welfare, the veterinarian turned reality star’s impressive career hasn’t been away
from controversies. In 2014, he was fined $500 and had his license put on probation for not wearing
proper surgical attire during the treatment of a Boston terrier a few years prior. A year later,
the sentencing was overturned as no competent evidence of a breach was found.
In September 2019, Dr. Pol’s family faced a huge tragedy when his maternal grandson
Adam James Butch’s life was tragically cut short at 23. Adam, who had appeared in the
family’s reality series a couple of times, was found dead in his home just two days after he
started a new job at a Pennsylvania-based drug company - Rite Aid. Though the cause
of his death was never revealed, many believe the young man was suffering from depression.
Diane Pol
Diane has donned many hats in her life; be it that of a reading specialist,
TV personality, or the co-founder and office manager of the Pol Veterinary
Service. Although Diane stays away from the medical side of things,
she continues to be a strong pillar on the family and business front. And her impeccable
managerial skills certainly come in handy during the day-to-day workings of the clinic.
Charles Pol
The adopted son of Dr. Jan and Diane, Charles is a regular cast member and also serves as
executive producer on the beloved series. With his background in communications, he made the
popular show become a reality as he proposed the idea inspired by his dad’s work. One thing led
to another, and National Geographic TV picked up the idea, and the rest, as they say, is history!
It’s not just Charles’ professional life that’s thriving! The producer and his wife Beth welcomed
their second baby, son Silas in July 2021. They also share a daughter named Abigail.
Brenda Grettenberger
Audiences fell in love with Dr. Brenda Grettenberger as she asserted her authority
in a field dominated by men and worked in the clinic for over 30 years. She was noticeably
absent from season 18 which led to speculations that she was leaving. However, it was confirmed
that she is not quitting and will appear in more episodes in the upcoming seasons. When the expert
veterinarian is not on duty, she enjoys dancing, reading, and training her oxen to pull wagons.
Emily Thomas
Though she loved working with Dr. Pol and the other associate veterinarians, Dr. Emily Thomas
couldn’t keep up with the very hectic work schedule. After four years with the show,
Dr. Emily decided to leave in 2019 to pursue a career opportunity that did not require filming
in front of the camera. She also shared her desire to spend more time with her family
with whom she relocated to Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. She currently works as an associate
veterinarian at Virginia Warren County Veterinary Clinic alongside her husband - Tony Thomas.
The pair, who have been married for 16 years, are proud parents of 3 children;
daughter India, and sons Oscar and Calvin. It is admiring how Emily manages
to balance her family life despite being in a profession as rigorous as a Veterinarian.
Nicole Arcy
Since joining the animal care facility as an intern in 2018, Nicole Arcy has helped Dr. Pol
with surgeries and taking care of the farm. An alma mater of the University of Missouri,
she has always been passionate about the safety of animals. She also worked
with Little Horses Big Smiles Inc a non-profit organization providing
animal-assisted therapy and activities to various types of healthcare facilities.
Ray Harp
Dr. Ray Harp joined Dr. Pol’s team as an associate veterinarian in 2019. His love
for the show encouraged him to pursue veterinary school and also influenced his decision to come to
Michigan for a job at the animal hospital. However, just two years later, he decided
to leave for family reasons. Dr. Ray is happily married to his significant other: his wife Chloe,
with whom he shares two daughters. At present, he is serving as a veterinarian in Colorado
Lisa Jones
The associate veterinarian - Dr. Lisa Jones began working at Pol Veterinary Service in
2019. Since her TV debut the following year, she has been a valuable asset to the team. The
Cornell University graduate said her homeschool education set her up well to achieve her dreams.