Dr Pol's children, Kathy, Charles and Diane: Where are they today?
Dr Jan Pol, the beloved star of The Incredible Dr Pol, is known for his passion for animals and country life. His career spans over 50 years, while his vast experience in treating pets and livestock has made him adored by many. Many fans are also curious about Dr Pol's children, Kathy, Charles, and Diane. Each has chosen a different path, but they are still in the family business.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Profile summary
- Who is Dr Pol?
- Who are Dr Pol's children?
- What happened to Dr Pol's wife?
- How old is Dr Pol?
- Does Diane Pol have cancer?
- Is Dr Pol's wife, Diane, still alive today?
- Is Charles Pol still married?
- Are all Dr Pol's kids adopted?
- Did Dr Pol retire in 2023?
- Why was The Incredible Dr Pol cancelled?
- Was Dr Emily pregnant while on Dr Pol?
- Did Emily leave Dr Pol?
Key takeaways
- Dr Pol has three children: Kathy, Charles, and Diane.
- Charles is involved in television production and helps with The Incredible Dr Pol.
- Kathy and Diane have focused more on their personal and family lives outside of the show.
- Together, they continue to reflect Dr Pol’s values of hard work, compassion, and family dedication.
Profile summary
Full name | Jan-Harm Pol |
Popular as | Dr Pol |
Gender | Male |
Date of birth | September 4, 1942 |
Age | 83 years old (as of 2025) |
Zodiac sign | Virgo |
Place of birth | Wateren, Netherlands |
Current residence | Weidman, Michigan, USA |
Nationality | Dutch-American |
Ethnicity | White |
Religion | Christianity |
Sexuality | Straight |
Height | 5’6″ (167 cm) |
Weight | 172 lbs (78 kg) |
Hair colour | Bald |
Eye colour | Blue |
Father | Harm Pol |
Mother | Klaasje Schreuder |
Siblings | 5 |
Marital status | Married |
Partner | Diane Pol |
Children | 3 |
College | Utrecht University |
Profession | Veterinarian, TV Personality, Author |
Social media |
Who is Dr Pol?
Dr Jan Pol, a veterinarian from the Netherlands, is the star of the popular Nat Geo WILD series The Incredible Dr Pol. He was raised on a dairy farm, gaining early experience with animals and later earning a veterinary degree from Utrecht University in 1970.
After moving to Michigan, he and his wife, Diane, founded Pol Veterinary Services in 1981. The clinic is in Weidman, Michigan, and has treated hundreds of thousands of patients. In over 240 episodes spanning 24 seasons, Dr Pol showcases his dedication to rural animals.
Source: Original
Who are Dr Pol's children?
The Dutch native and his wife adopted three children. The famous veterinarian has two daughters, Kathy and Diane Jr, and one son, Charles.
Kathy
Kathlene, known as Kathy, was adopted from birth. Born on 21 August 1973, Kathy Pol's age is 51 as of 2024. She was the first of Dr Pol's children to be adopted and grew up on a farm in Michigan, learning about caring for animals and helping her father on farm calls.
Dr Pol's daughter, Kathy, is now a practising phlebotomist living in Michigan, United States. She attended Chippewa Hills High School and later graduated from Delta College in Bay City, Michigan.
Kathy Pol's tragedy struck in February 2016 when her husband, Gregory Butch, passed away at age 50 after a long battle with cancer. The couple had been married for nearly 21 years and shared two children, Adam James Butch and Rachel Butch. Gregory worked as a chemical technologist, and the family resided in Bay City, Michigan.
Source: UGC
What happened to Adam Butch?
Tragedy struck again over two years later when Kathy's eldest died in September 2019. His death was announced when the TV show ran an obituary for him. At the time of his untimely demise, he was 23 and working as a chemist technician. Dr Pol’s family has still not revealed the cause of his untimely death.
Kathy’s only remaining child, Rachel Butch, has appeared in two episodes of The Incredible Dr Pol. Despite the tragedies, Kathy has found solace and is currently in a relationship with Thomas Rakowski.
Is Kathy Pol still alive?
Yes, Kathy Pol, Dr Jan Pol’s daughter, is still alive. As of October 2025, she is 52 years old. Kathy resides in Michigan and has faced significant personal losses, including the deaths of her husband, Gregory Butch, in 2016, and her son, Adam Butch, in 2019.
Despite these tragedies, Kathy has found solace and is currently in a relationship with Thomas Rakowski. Her daughter, Rachel Butch, has appeared in two episodes of The Incredible DDrPol. Kathy continues to live a private life, supported by her family and community.
Charles
Charles is the second of Dr Pol's children and his only son. He was born on 6 March 1979, and like his sister Kathy, he was adopted from birth. Information on his biological parents has not been shared.
Although he spent his childhood helping his father with the animals on their farm and at the vet, Charles decided to pursue a career in the entertainment business after high school.
Source: Instagram
He majored in Mass Communication/Media Studies at the University of Miami and graduated in 2003. He then moved to Los Angeles, California, where he interned at numerous production companies, such as Paramount Pictures, Parkway Productions, and Mirage Enterprises.
Charles has also worked as Creative Director for Booya Studios and Director of Operations for Nickelodeon’s live-action division.
What does Charles Pol do for a living?
He is the executive producer of The Incredible Dr Pol, which has been on air for 24 seasons on Nat Geo Wild as of 2023. Additionally, Charles co-created and now stars in The Incredible Pol Farm, which showcases his family’s farm life.
Who is Charles Pol’s wife?
Dr Pol's son, Charles, is married to Beth Oakes. After years of travel and cosmopolitan living across the US and abroad, Beth returned to Michigan to be near her family. There, she was reunited with her childhood friend, Charles. The two rekindled their connection and tied the knot in 2018.
The couple is now raising two young children, Abigail and Silas. His daughter, Abigail, was born on 19 October 2019, and his son, Silas, was born on 12 July 2021. During Silas' birthdate, Beth revealed how happy she was, per People,
Every child is a blessing and we're delighted to welcome a son, Silas, to our little family. We would like to thank everyone, most especially our parents, for their love and support.
In 2024, Charles and Beth began starring in The Incredible Pol Farm, a new Nat Geo WILD series documenting their efforts to build a 350-acre family farm alongside three generations of the Pol family. The family now lives on their farm, where Charles has embraced farm life alongside his wife and children.
What is Charles Pol’s net worth?
His net worth ranges between $2 million and $3 million. His role in The Incredible Dr Pol has contributed significantly to his financial success.
What happened to Charles Pol's son?
Charles is doing well and remains actively involved in his family’s work. He is not a veterinarian like his father, but he plays a key role behind the scenes of The Incredible Dr Pol as a producer. Charles helped develop the show and has appeared on-screen many times alongside Dr Pol.
Is Abigail Pol deaf?
As of October 2025, there is no public information confirming that Abigail Pol, daughter of Charles and Beth Pol, is deaf. Born on October 19, 2019, Abigail has been featured in family posts on social media, such as a birthday message shared on October 19, 2024, celebrating her fifth birthday.
Diane Pol Jr
Diane Jr was born on 21 March 1973, which makes her the eldest of Dr Pol's kids. She was the last child adopted by Jan and Diane. Diane Jr's birth mother, JoAnn, died from cancer when she was 9.
Dr Pol's daughter announced the news of her marriage to Ryan Lapham in April 2023. He has five children from a previous relationship and uses her Instagram to share her weight loss journey.
What do Dr Pol's daughters do?
As mentioned earlier, Kathy is a phlebotomist. According to Diane Jr's LinkedIn profile, she has been a technical communicator since July 2023. Beforehand, she was a sales manager at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Mount Pleasant.
What happened to Dr Pol's wife?
Dr Pol’s wife, Diane Pol, allegedly underwent significant back surgery to address chronic back pain in 2024. The procedure, performed on 15 March, involved decompression and spinal fusion.
Her recovery has progressed well, with noticeable improvements in mobility and reduced pain. Diane remains active in the Pol Veterinary Services, although she has adjusted her workload to suit her recovery.
How old is Dr Pol?
Dr Pol's age is 83 (as of 2025). He was born and raised on a dairy farm in Wateren, Drenthe, Netherlands, on 4 September 1942 and is the youngest of six siblings.
Does Diane Pol have cancer?
Yes, Diane Pol, Dr Pol’s wife, has been diagnosed with cancer. She is undergoing treatment for both lung and oesophageal cancer. Her medical team reported significant progress, including an 80% reduction in the lung nodule.
Is Dr Pol's wife, Diane, still alive today?
Yes, Dr Pol's wife, Diane Pol, is still alive as of October 2025. She continues to play an active role in the family’s veterinary clinic, Pol Veterinary Services, serving as the office manager. Diane and Dr Pol have been married for over 56 years and share a deep bond rooted in their mutual love for animals and their shared history.
They met in 1961 when Diane hosted Dr Pol as a foreign exchange student, and their relationship blossomed from there. Together, they opened their veterinary practice in 1981, which has since treated hundreds of thousands of animals.
Is Charles Pol still married?
Yes, Dr Pol's son is together with his wife, Beth Oakes.
Are all Dr Pol's kids adopted?
Yes, all of Dr Pol’s children are adopted. Dr Jan Pol and his wife, Diane Pol, have three children: Athy, Charles, and Diane Jr. They adopted all three when they were young.
Did Dr Pol retire in 2023?
The American author has not announced any plans to retire as a veterinarian. Furthermore, his show was renewed for its 24th season in June 2023.
Why was The Incredible Dr Pol cancelled?
The Incredible Dr Pol was cancelled after 13 successful years and 24 seasons, leaving fans curious about the reason for its end. National Geographic announced the show’s cancellation on 21 June 2024, with the final episode airing on 6 July 2023.
Many speculated that the Pol family's other project, The Incredible Pol Farm, could have contributed to its cancellation. However, DrDran Pol had expressed his enthusiasm for continuing both shows, and there were no indications that The Incredible Dr Drl was intended to be replaced by the farm-based spin-off.
In his heartfelt Instagram post, Dr Pol reflected on the 13-year journey and expressed deep gratitude for his family and fans' support throughout the show. He said,
After an incredible 13-year journey, our beloved TV show, The Incredible Dr. Pol, is coming to an end on Nat Geo Wild. It’s been an amazing experience, and we’re so grateful for all the support and love you’ve shown our family over the years. But...this isn’t goodbye yet! Doc and Charles are continuing to develop new content and products just for you. We’ll keep sharing our adventures with the world and we’re excited for what the future holds.
The series finale will stream on Disney+ and Hulu starting 1 October 2024, allowing fans to continue enjoying the beloved veterinarian’s work.
Was Dr Emily pregnant while on Dr Pol?
Dr Emily was pregnant during Seasons 8 and 12 of the reality show. She left during Season 16 in 2020, citing the stress of having three children while working full-time as the reason for her departure.
Did Emily leave Dr Pol?
Yes, DDrEmily Thomas left The Incredible Dr Pol in 2019. She stepped away to focus on her mental and physical health after experiencing burnout from the demanding work schedule.
After leaving, she and her family moved to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. There, she works in a veterinary role with a more balanced schedule and continues to share her experiences through her blog, This Little Light.
Dr Pol’s children have each found their own paths but still share the same strong family values he’s known for. Whether in television or family life, they continue to reflect Dr Pol’s influence and hard-working spirit. No matter where life takes them, DDrPol’s legacy clearly lives on through his children.
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Source: Briefly News
Adrianna Simwa (Lifestyle writer) Adrianna Simwa is a content writer at Briefly.co.za, where she has worked since mid-2022. She has written for many periodicals on a variety of subjects, including news, celebrities, and lifestyle, for more than three years. She has worked for The Hoth, The Standard Group and Triple P Media. Adrianna graduated from Nairobi University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in 2020. In 2023, Adrianna finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach her through her email: adriannasimwa@gmail.com
Nompumelelo Ngubeni (Lifestyle writer) Nompumelelo Ngubeni is an editor of Lifestyle content with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Honours Language Practice from North-West University (2016). She has over 8 years of experience in proofreading, research, subtitling, and editing. Strong media and communication professional. Nompumelelo joined Briefly News in 2022. Email: nompumelelongubeni@ymail.com
