Podcast: The Incredible Philosophy Behind Dr. Pol’s Pet Care Approach

After 24 seasons of reality television, the world knows Dr. Jan Pol as a down-to-earth veterinarian championing access and affordability for animals of all shapes and sizes. But as his son tells the story, it was never about the fame.

In this episode of Barking Mad, hosts Jordan Tyler and Dr. Stephanie Clark sit down with Charles Pol—Dr. Pol’s son, executive producer of “The Incredible Dr. Pol,” and CEO of Docson Brands, which was spun out of Dr. Pol’s philosophy toward vet care and nutrition—and longtime producer Mike Stankevich as they share how real-world experiences and conversations helped shape a business rooted in common sense, quality, and compassion.

Recorded live at SUPERZOO 2025, this candid conversation with Charles and Mike dives into rising veterinary costs, the realities of rural care, and guiding principles that could help making pet health more accessible. Tracing the evolution from hit TV show to Docson Brands, it’s an honest look at the pressures facing both vets and pet owners—and why rethinking our approaches could be key to fixing a broken system.

What You’ll Learn 🔍

• How Dr. Pol’s grassroots veterinary experience shaped a brand built on affordability, quality, and access
• Why rising veterinary costs are pricing many animal owners out of routine care
• How triage-based veterinary care could ease pressure on emergency clinics
• The difference between premiumization and true value in pet food and services

Tune in, share your perspective, and join the conversation on how the industry can do better—for vets and animals alike.

🎧 Find Barking Mad on the BSM Partners website, as well as on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and Podlink.

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About the Author

Jordan Tyler is the Director of Media at BSM Partners and co-host of the Barking Mad podcast. She has more than seven years of experience reporting on trends, best practices and developments in the North American pet nutrition industry. Jordan resides in Bentonville, Arkansas, with her husband and their three furry family members.