Calling Dr. Pol
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Calling Dr. Pol shadows a rural veterinarian team on farm calls and in the office to care for animals of all sizes and shapes. Although there's no violence in the show, you will glimpse some injuries and hear the details of illnesses, and some animals are shown in distress. Older kids will understand the realistic nature of what they're seeing, but younger kids might need some reassuring. Some cases also warrant references to euthanasia, as well as potentially confusing topics such as insemination and breeding, so be prepared to field related questions. Dr. Pol's charisma and ability to relate to his patients and their people makes him a favorite in his town, and he has cross-generational appeal.
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What's the story?
CALLING DR. POL spotlights the work of Dr. Jan Pol, a mixed-animal veterinarian who's a veritable celebrity in his small town in Michigan, where he cares for more than 19,000 patients ranging from farm animals to small house pets. No two days are the same around Pol Veterinary Services, and the variety of clients' needs keeps Dr. Pol and his associate, Dr. Brenda Grettenberger, hopping. The work truly is a family affair, with Pol's wife, Diane, manning the office and their son, Charles, assisting on farm calls.
Is it any good?
Calling Dr. Pol is cut from much the same cloth as the camera-friendly vet's first TV series, The Incredible Dr. Pol. It captures the essence of the hustle-bustle pace the good doctor keeps, while interjecting other things, such as his mentoring a veterinary student and watching Charles take a polar plunge for a charitable cause. Because the course of his days is determined by his patients' needs, it's hard to predict what any one episode has in store -- for him or his viewers.
Dr. Pol has won over many viewers with the genuine joy he seems to get from his work and his old-school approach to veterinary medicine, but that same laid-back attitude also has stirred up controversy. Nevertheless, he remains a decent example of hard work and success, and the show is a moderately entertaining vehicle for learning something about animal care and veterinary practices.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about how veterinarians care for animals that are sick or injured. What tools and supplies do they use in each case? What special skills does the doctor need to be good at this job?
Kids: Why is proper pet care important? If you have pets, what special needs do they have? Are you able to fill them?
Does this series attempt to teach you anything? Are you able to process the facts that pop up on the screen? Is it at all important that the TV you watch is educational?
TV details
- Premiere date: October 4, 2014
- Cast: Jan Pol
- Network: CW
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Cats, Dogs, and Mice, Horses and Farm Animals
- TV rating: TV-G
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