'The Incredible Dr. Pol' couple on becoming late-in-life celebrities and adjusting to TV scrutiny
CHICAGO - Early on in the new season of Nat Geo Wild's veterinary show "The Incredible Dr. Pol," a call comes in from client worried that his dog had just snatched four strips of raw bacon and might become ill. It turns out, these types of calls are common and an usually high amount are from TV viewers across the country looking for a consult.
Based in the rural farming town of Weidman, Mich., and serving five surrounding counties, the clinic - run by Dr. Jan Pol and his wife, Diane - may be small but it does bustling business. He's the high energy problem-solver, she's the quiet ballast.
When I asked why he is called "Dr. Pol" on the show while his fellow vets are called "Dr. (first name)" he paused and then laughed: "Because my first name is Jan and nobody can pronounce it!" For the record, the Dutch name is pronounced roughly as "Yahn." Diane works in the office and though she's the less talkative half of the couple, during a recent trip to Chicago she noted firmly: "We started our practice together. And I've always been a part of it." It is a fully collaborative effort, one defined
