Follow Veterinary Practice News on Twitter at @vetpetnews. Most people probably know him as “The Incredible Dr. Pol,” his alter ego (or perhaps not so alter ego) on the Nat Geo Wild program of the same name. But Jan Pol, DVM has been a veterinarian for decades and has multitudes of stories to tell. Much of which he shares in his memoirs, “Never Turn Your Back on an Angus Cow.” Dr. Pol, 72, first began practicing veterinary medicine in his native Netherlands. He graduated from Utrecht University in 1970 and in 1981 he and his wife, Diane, opened his first practice, Pol Veterinary Services. Pol, known as a no-nonsense but empathetic veterinarian, is also a natural, charismatic storyteller. His memoirs, which he penned with the help of author David Fisher, is full of crazy, compelling, funny and sometimes bittersweet accounts of his veterinary career. His memoir, subtitled “My Life as a Country Vet,” includes stories on using an animal’s breath to determine what’s its ailment is, making tough judgment calls, and why it’s important to turn your car around before leaving them to attend to farm calls. Reviews have compared Pol’s book to those of fellow veterinarian James Herriot. Like, Herriot, Pol’s love and passion for animals (he personally owns five cats, several fish, two horses, two doves and two dogs) and for his work shine through in his book. “Never Turn Your Back on an Angus Cow” will be released by Gotham Books on Aug. 18. Do you have veterinary stories to tell? Share them in the comments.
