Dr Pol's children, Kathy, Charles and Diane: Where are they today?
Dr Jan Pol has three adopted children: Kathy, Charles, and Diane Jr., each of whom has built a distinct life. The Dutch-American veterinarian starred in The Incredible Dr Pol for 13 years alongside his wife Diane. Fan interest in Dr Pol's children remains high, especially since the show's 2024 finale.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Charles Pol is executive producer of The Incredible Dr Pol and created The Incredible Pol Farm, which launched in January 2024.
- Kathy Pol lives in Michigan and works as a phlebotomist. She lost her husband Gregory Butch in 2016 and her son Adam in September 2019.
- Diane Pol Jr. married Ryan Lapham in April 2023 and began working as a technical communicator in July 2023.
- The Incredible Dr Pol ended with its series finale on 6 July 2024 after 24 seasons.
Profile summary
Full name | Jan-Harm Pol |
Popular as | Dr Pol |
Born | 4 September 1942, Wateren, Netherlands |
Age | 84 (as of October 2026) |
Zodiac sign | Virgo |
Nationality | Dutch-American |
College | Utrecht University |
Profession | Veterinarian, TV personality, author |
Education | Utrecht University (DVM, 1970) |
Parents | Harm Pol and Klaasje Schreuder |
Marital status | Married |
Spouse | Diane Pol (née Dalrymple) |
Children | 3 (all adopted) |
Social media |
Who is Dr Jan Pol?
Jan-Harm Pol was born on 4 September 1942 in Wateren, a small village in the Netherlands. He grew up on a dairy farm. That upbringing shaped his entire career.
He trained at Utrecht University, earning his veterinary degree in 1970. After emigrating to the United States, he established Pol Veterinary Services in Weidman, Michigan, in 1981. He and his wife Diane adopted three children and raised them in Central Michigan.
Dr Pol's approach to family has always been grounded. He told AARP in 2019:
"What you see on the show is real family life. In the beginning, a producer wanted me and my son, Charles, to get into a fight for the cameras. I said, “I’m not going to do it; our family loves each other.” My glass is always half full. I think that’s what people are looking for and why the show is so popular.
My wife, Diane, and I go to church every Sunday, and we believe in treating others how we would want to be treated.
The Incredible Dr Pol premiered on Nat Geo Wild on 29 October 2011. It ran for 24 seasons and 254 episodes before its series finale on 6 July 2024. Disney cited declining viewership and changing audience preferences as reasons for its end.
Source: Original
Is Dr Pol still a vet?
Yes. Dr Jan Pol continues to practise veterinary medicine at Pol Veterinary Services in Weidman, Michigan. The clinic has been operating since 1981. His television career ending has not meant retirement.
Pol Veterinary Services is a full-service mixed-animal practice. The clinic's team has included veterinarians such as Dr Brenda Grettenberger, a long-standing colleague who appeared regularly on the show.
Who are Dr Pol's children?
Dr Pol and Diane adopted all three of their children. He has spoken openly about the values he tried to pass on to them. He said in a 2024 interview on Laughing Place:
"We go to church, we are Christian, we treat others like we want to be treated. That comes through here, and this is what the people look for."
Kathy Pol
Kathy is the eldest of Dr Pol's children. She works as a phlebotomist in Michigan and has largely stayed out of the public eye. Kathy has faced significant personal loss. Her husband, Gregory Butch, died in 2016 after a long battle with cancer. Three years later, her son Adam Butch passed away in September 2019 at the age of 23.
The family has not publicly shared the cause of his death. Kathy is currently in a relationship with Thomas Rakowski.
Charles Pol
Charles Pol is Dr Pol's only son. He is the executive producer of The Incredible Dr Pol, a role he held throughout the show's entire run.
In January 2024, he launched a Nat Geo Wild spin-off, The Incredible Pol Farm. The series follows Charles and his family as they build a hobby farm on 350 acres of undeveloped land in Central Michigan. Dr Pol also appears in the series.
Charles married Beth Oakes in 2018. They have two children, Abigail and Silas. The Incredible Pol Farm is available on Nat Geo Wild, Disney+ and Hulu.
Diane Pol Jr
Diane Pol Jr. is the youngest of Dr Pol's three children. She has maintained a lower public profile than her brother. Diane Jr. married Ryan Lapham in April 2023 and began working as a technical communicator in July 2023, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Who is Dr Pol's wife?
Diane Pol was born on 6 February 1943 in Mayville, Michigan. She appeared alongside Dr Pol throughout the show's 13-year run. In recent years, she has stepped back from public life.
Does Diane Pol have cancer?
The claims are unverified. Neither the Pol family nor any authoritative source has confirmed this.
Is Diane Pol still alive?
Yes. Diane is alive and well as of 2026. Dr Pol shared a photo on Facebook in August 2026, as the couple celebrated their incredible 59th wedding anniversary.
Latest news
Dr Jan Pol remains active, healthy, and fully committed to practising veterinary medicine at Pol Veterinary Services in Weidman, Michigan, alongside his wife Diane and son Charles.
In October 2026, he officially launched a limited edition of the Dr. Pol 2027 Calendar, with a collection of photos from his work with animals throughout the years.
FAQ
- How many children does Jan Pol have? Dr Jan Pol has three children: Kathy, Charles, and Diane Jr. All three were adopted.
- How old is Jan Pol now? He is 84 years old as of October 2026. He was born on 4 September 1942.
- What happened to Dr Pol's wife? Diane Pol has stepped back from public life. Unverified online reports suggest a serious illness, but the Pol family has not confirmed any health details.
- Is Dr Pol still alive? Yes. Dr Jan Pol is alive and continues to work as a veterinarian in Michigan.
- Why was The Incredible Dr Pol cancelled? The series ended after its 24th season. Its finale aired on 6 July 2024 on Nat Geo Wild. Disney cited declining viewership and evolving viewer preferences.
- Are all Dr Pol's children adopted? Yes. Kathy, Charles, and Diane Jr. were all adopted by Dr Pol and his wife Diane.
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.
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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
