 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Incredible Dr. Pol
Common Sense Media says
Rural vet's life is positive entertainment for older kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this reality series follows a veterinarian on routine exams and emergency farm calls, and cameras capture the dramatic moments as he works to save the lives of animals of all shapes and sizes. Although the changing nature of the content makes it hard to predict its appropriateness for younger viewers, you can expect a fair amount of blood and other bodily fluids as doctors work to save animals teetering between life and death due to illness or injury. This is a real know-your-kid situation, since many of the medical procedures (draining abscesses, sewing stomachs to the inside of a belly, and anesthetizing an aggressive animal, for instance) may confuse and potentially frighten youngsters who aren't familiar with them, but if this is part of your family's culture (through farming, for instance), it won't have the same effect. If your kids can handle the content, though, this is a great series you can both enjoy, and there are quality messages about the rewards of hard work, respectful living, and fostering good relationships.
What's the story?
Farmers in rural Michigan lay claim to a veterinary legend in Dr. Jan Pol, a seventy-something modern-day James Herriott whose dedication to his some 18,000 patients (and their people) is an anomaly in modern medicine. Whether it's a dog suffering the effects of a run-in with a porcupine or a cow with a life-threatening case of pneumonia, Dr. Pol treats every patient with kindness and a no-nonsense attitude that endears him to the farmers and pet owners who trust him with their animals. The series follows Dr. Pol in the exam room and on farm calls as he works tirelessly to keep the animals in good health and the farmers seeing profits. Dr. Pol's team includes his wife and office manager, Diane; his son, Charles, who's visiting from California to help out in the clinic; and Dr. Brenda Grettenberger.
Is it any good?
There are few TV personalities who model the good life quite like Dr. Pol. A relentless go-getter with impressive stamina, he's generous with his time and uses his considerable skills and knowledge to help others. The effect of the care he gives extends beyond the animals he treats, and he takes as much pride in helping the farming community stay profitable as he does in bringing a patient back from the brink of death.
THE INCREDIBLE DR. POL is positive, life-affirming reality TV that's great for families, but only if your kids can handle the true-to-life drama that surrounds the doc's work. The series doesn’t shy away from showing close-ups of surgeries and medical procedures like manual replacements of prolapsed organs or taking a rectal temperature, and it does raise the issue of death when the content warrants it. If your kids are OK with this kind of thing, though, this is a worthwhile series that has great messages about personal fulfillment and strong communities.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about communities. What kinds of jobs are essential to the success of a community? How do people rely on each other? What happens to a community if a few of the people leave?
Kids: What do you want to be when you grow up? What personal fulfillment do you hope to get from the job? Is money a factor in your decision? Why or why not? How will you be able to help others in this career?
What can we learn from reality shows like this one? What do you think was Dr. Pol's motivation in doing this show? Is it possible to get an accurate sense of a person's character through the TV screen? Does Dr. Pol seem believable?
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- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Farmers and their Vet
Some may be surprised that I think such young children can safely watch The Incredible Dr. Pol. It's graphic and probably shows things some would prefer never to see or know. Children who live on farms see this stuff all the time and aren't troubled by it. Finally, there is a place to see the reality behind how farmers really treat animals that so many of us eat or provide the milk that is in the cheese and other dairy products we eat. The farmers on the show represent the vast majority of those who grow our food. They are caring and do the right thing by their animals. Also, Dr. Pol is a great small animal vet. I love this show!
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AGE
LOTS OF GORE, AND A BIT OF A SNORE
It's grisly. So much so that the network chooses to "blur" the image when it's too gross, like the scene where they're stuffing a cow's 25-lb uterus back inside her. The scene where the teams pulls out hundreds of porcupine quills from the faces of two dogs--and the dazed , bleeding dogs are loaded into the bare metal bed of their owner's pickup-- will not please animal lovers made of softer stuff. After a procedure, shouldn't animals be held and observed under sterile conditions for 24 hrs? This feels like the "snuff" programming on NatGeo and Animal Planet where there's always plenty of gore. Not a good show for people who just want to see warm fuzzy creatures get better. Kind of meat-porn.
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AGE
WOW! Best show in a long time.
Six hundred-plus shows on t.v and I could easily walk away from most . . . except Dr. Pol. The previews didn't catch my attention but when the show aired, it was amazing! I have three horses, four dogs, chickens, cats and volunteer at the local animal shelter. I LOVED THIS SHOW and plan on watching all the shows that I can. I was later than I ususally stay up but was compelled to finish the show. Then, another hour was about to air. I had to watch that one too. I'm sure that there are critics out there that have never lived on a farm and think that all cows each have to have their own pillow and blankie. Get the animal's perspective people.
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AGE
Two Thumbs Way Down
Under the guise of character driven TV..this man practices bad medicine.In addition,taking xrays without proper OSHA protection is against the law.Two
Big Thumbs down here
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AGE
Unsure of methodology
I can't say that I dislike Dr Pol, he's a very likable charector. I am in the medical profession and question his tactics. If he is trying to save some of these animals that have died on his program, he is not doing all he can for them. If he is dealing with permissions because a family can't afford the treatment, that is all together a different story. If that be they case he gives them comfort care and that is humane. After watching a show where a puppy was mawled and he did nothing because he was in shock? I disagree.
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AGE
Great programing!
I love it. I watch it with my 5 year old grand daughter. Shows a hard working family, compassion, real life, not reality life. Excellent!!!
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AGE
Children need to learn
This is not Animal Cops Houston!!! This show is about real life farm situations and the man who specializes in the care of these animals. Its about time all the know nothing people get to understand that farm life life is not a bowl of fairy tales. Children need to know and learn about life on a farm. Most people wouldn't last a day if they had to work a farm. Agreed, not all the sceens are pleasant for some, but they are about real life situations, not like all the put up reality shows that plague our TV's today.
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AGE
Some parents just dont understand.
I'm a nature person I love learning all I can about animals,I understand so much more about them. The more u learn the more u understand.Understanding is one of the best thing in the world lost without it. LP
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AGE
educational and real life!
My children (5 years and 9 years old) love the show. We have 4 episodes on DVR and they have watched each one several times. My 5 year old LOVES animals and this is much better than the "junk" on TV these days. I am happy to see it!! Keep it coming! Sometimes I think we let our kids see so many sexual thinkgs on TV, even a soda or car commercial has to sell sex! What is wrong with this world? This show tells it like it is! We can protect our kids, sure, but we shouldn't let them live under a rock either!! She may even want to be a vet someday.
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AGE
We LOVE Dr Pol!
We have a 7 year old son who wants to be veterinarian. We have been watching this show since it started and it has done nothing but fuel his interest. We think it's been a positive thing to watch, and we will continue to watch as long as it is on!
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| TV rating: | NR |
| Network: | National Geographic Channel |
| Cast: | Jan Pol |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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