Few veterinarians treat goats with polio and deliver calves in the middle of a thunderstorm.

To Jan Pol, the star of Nat Geo Wild‘s most popular show, The Incredible Dr. Pol, it’s all in a day’s work. Now in its fourth season, The Incredible Dr. Pol follows the rural Michigan veterinarian and his family on his daily duties at his clinic and on nearby farms. (Meet the cast of the show.)

The Dutch native first spent time in central Michigan as a high school exchange student, and officially emigrated to the region as a young man. Dr. Pol’s zest for life and love of animals have made this program a must-watch each week.

I caught up with Dr. Pol’s