Last month’s Michigan Court of Appeals decision against Jan Pol, DVM, a well-known veterinarian and star of Nat Geo Wild’s The Incredible Dr. Pol, has brought renewed attention to the professional standards within veterinary medicine. The court upheld the state’s decision to place the 77-year-old Dr. Pol on professional probation for negligence, according to publicly accessible court records. This ruling, which affirms a 2018 order by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), stems from concerns about Dr. Pol’s conduct during surgery on a dog and treatment of a horse at his practice in rural Michigan.
Case Background: Allegations of Negligence at Dr. Pol’s Clinic
The legal proceedings against Dr. Pol began in 2013 after a viewer of his television show raised concerns about the ovariohysterectomy performed on a dog at his veterinary clinic, Pol Veterinary Services, located in Weidman, Michigan. The Michigan Attorney General’s office subsequently investigated and filed a formal complaint detailing several alleged failures in protocol. These included “failing to intubate the dog during surgery, not utilizing an electronic monitoring device during the procedure, inadequate assistance in locating the dog’s uterus, and not wearing a surgical cap, mask, and gown during the operation.”
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Further complicating matters, in 2015, a second complaint was filed by horse owners. They alleged that during the treatment of a laceration on their horse’s leg, Dr. Pol again failed to wear a cap, gown, or gloves. Additionally, it was claimed he neglected to trim the hair around the wound before treatment.
Initially, an administrative law judge reviewing these complaints concluded that the state had not sufficiently demonstrated negligence or incompetence on Dr. Pol’s part in either the dog or horse cases. However, LARA officials partially overturned this proposed decision. They placed Dr. Pol on probation for a period ranging from one day to one year. The grounds for probation included “failure to intubate the dog during surgery, failure to wear a surgical mask and gown during the procedure, and failure to clip the hair around the horse’s wound prior to suturing.” Dr. Pol was also mandated to cover the costs associated with adhering to the probation terms and complete continuing education in “small animal surgical preparation and monitoring, and small/large animal aseptic technique.” Despite Dr. Pol’s appeal against LARA’s order, the appeals court supported the original decision on December 19th.
Dr Jan Pol examining an animal at his veterinary clinic in rural Michigan
A History of Scrutiny: Past Challenges to Dr. Pol’s Veterinary Practice
This recent ruling is not an isolated incident in Dr. Pol’s long career. His veterinary practices have faced scrutiny before. In 2012, he was placed on probation due to a 2010 case involving an inaccurate canine ultrasound reading. Furthermore, in 2014, another veterinarian filed a complaint concerning Dr. Pol’s surgical attire during a procedure on a Boston terrier injured by a car. LARA initially responded to this complaint by ordering Dr. Pol to pay a $500 fine and serve a year of probation. However, in 2016, the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed LARA’s disciplinary action in this particular case, citing insufficient evidence.
The Future for ‘The Incredible Dr. Pol’ and His Veterinary Services Location
Dr. Pol, who has been serving the rural communities of Michigan since the 1970s from his practice location, has reportedly treated over 20,000 patients. His television show captures his daily work, showcasing his dedication to animal care across rural Michigan, treating a diverse range of animals from domestic pets to farm livestock. The show is currently airing its 16th season, maintaining popularity despite the ongoing legal challenges.
Christopher S. Patterson, JD, Dr. Pol’s attorney, remains confident that these legal proceedings will not negatively affect the television show. He argues that the Michigan Veterinary Board’s decisions are often arbitrary. “This case demonstrates how the Michigan Veterinary Board makes arbitrary decisions. The Board even agreed that Dr. Pol’s care was competent,” Patterson stated to dvm360. “We have had these issues with the Board previously, which resulted in the Michigan Court of Appeals reversing the Board for arbitrary and capricious decision-making. Dr. Pol will continue to challenge the Board until a fair and rational process is used for review of veterinary care.” Despite the probation, Dr. Pol’s practice, Pol Veterinary Services, remains open at its established location, continuing to serve the animal community in Michigan.
