Jan Pol has loved animals all of his life. Raised on a farm in the Netherlands, Pol realized he wanted to be a veterinarian, seeing it not as a job but “a calling.” While studying, Pol was taught and embraced several foundational tenets—”animals were creatures of God and it was our job to take care of them” and animals “were not human beings, and we shouldn’t mistake them for or treat them as equal to humans.”
Pol immigrated to Michigan and gradually established his own practice. Almost 40 years later, his practice is featured on his own reality show,“The Incredible Dr. Pol,” on the National Geographic Channel.
Pol’s autobiography gives readers a candid, humorous, and bittersweet glimpse into the lives of farmers, small-pet owners, and their animals. (Gotham Books)
About the Author
Sonya VanderVeen Feddema is a freelance writer and a member of Covenant CRC in St. Catharines, Ontario.