Dr. Michelle Oakley: Yukon Vet, Wiki-Bio, Age, husband, kids, net worth.
Dr. Michelle Oakley’s job as a veterinarian is not just a walk in the park. Her dedication comes from her deep love for animals. Living in the adversity of nature, Dr.Oakley does not shy away from making house calls in the far reaches of Northern Canada. Her job includes driving for long stretches in the wilderness and sometimes lack of proper roads leads her on her journey. And while Dr.Oakley can avoid all the hardship, she is passionate about her job and has come a long way to suddenly change her way of life. In this article, we will explore Dr. Oakley’s biography.
Wiki/Bio Facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Michelle Oakley |
| Date of birth | September 16, 1969 |
| Age | 54 years old |
| Place of birth | Munster, Indiana, United States |
| Parents | Steve Plantinga, Georgia Plantinga |
| Nationality | American, Canadian |
| Gender | Female |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Zodiac | Virgo |
| Religion | Christian |
| Occupation | Veterinarian, TV personality |
| Net Worth | $1.5 M (estimated) |
| Education | Munster High School (g. 1987), University of Michigan (B.S. in Zoology, 1991), Atlantic Veterinary College (D.V.M., 2000) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Shane Oakley |
| Children | Sierra Oakley, Maya Oakley, Willow Oakley |
| Residence | Haines Junction, Yukon, Canada |
| TV show | Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet |
| TV network | Nat Geo Wild |
| TV debut | April 12, 2014 |
| TV seasons | 12 (as of 2024) |
| TV genre | Documentary, reality |
| TV awards | None |
| Clinic name | Yukon Vet Clinic |
| Clinic location | Haines Junction, Yukon, Canada |
| Clinic services | All-species veterinary care for domestic and wild animals |
| Clinic staff | Dr. Michelle Oakley (owner and veterinarian), Sierra Oakley (daughter and veterinarian), Maya Oakley (daughter and vet assistant), Willow Oakley (daughter) |
| Clinic website | None |
| Wildlife work | Worked for the Canadian government as a wildlife veterinarian for 7 years before opening her own clinic; involved in various wildlife conservation and research projects in the Yukon and other parts of the world; treats animals such as moose, caribou, bison, muskoxen, bears, wolves, lynx, eagles, owls, etc. |
| Wildlife challenges | Travels long distances by car, plane, helicopter, snowmobile, etc. to reach remote locations; faces harsh weather conditions such as snowstorms and freezing temperatures; deals with dangerous and unpredictable animals that may require sedation or immobilization; works with limited resources and equipment in the field; balances the needs of wildlife and human communities |
| Wildlife partners | Works with various organizations and agencies including Yukon Wild Life Preserve, Yukon Conservation Officer Services, Environment Yukon, American Bald Eagle Foundation. |
| Wildlife recognition | Featured in various media outlets such as National Geographic Magazine, People, etc.; |
| Personal interests | Loves nature and outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, camping, skiing, etc.; enjoys spending time with her family and pets; likes to travel and explore new places and cultures; passionate about educating and inspiring others about wildlife and veterinary medicine |
| Personal pets | Has several pets at home such as dogs, cats, horses, chickens, etc.; some of them are rescued or adopted from her wildlife work |
| Personal challenges | Struggles with balancing her busy work schedule and family life; faces criticism and backlash from some people who disagree with her wildlife work or TV show; deals with stress and emotional toll from witnessing animal suffering and death |
| Personal goals | To continue her wildlife work and TV show as long as possible; to expand her clinic and hire more staff; to write a book about her experiences; to visit Antarctica and see penguins; to retire in Hawaii with her husband |
| Social Media | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter |
Who is Michelle Oakley?
A veterinarian by profession, Dr. Oakley is also a television personality who stars in the Nat Geo Wild reality series “Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet.” Specializing in wildlife veterinary medicine, Dr. Oakley operates a vet clinic out of her home in Haines Junction, Yukon Territory. Her patients are not just wildlife, catering to the needs in her hometown she has mastered her skill in all kinds of animals and treats accordingly.
Dr. Michelle Oakley Birthdate, Age, Ethnicity
Dr. Oakley was born on September 16, 1969, in Munster, Indiana. She was born to Steve Plantinga and Georgia Plantinga and has a brother sibling. Although her roots tie her to America she gained Canadian citizenship after her marriage. If ethnicity is concerned she belongs to white.
Dr. Oakley married to longtime husband and mother of three daughters
When Dr. Oakley first came to study wildlife in Yukon not only she did fall in love with the place but also a young local firefighter Shane Oakley who is her husband now. On her first Yukon Trip, she met Shane and fell in love with him. Back then Shane would refer to her as “Squirrel Girl”.
The two got married in Hawaii on December 10, 1992. Following marriage, the pair settled in Haines, Yukon, and have since been living there. Dr. Oakley and her husband mostly find themselves traveling in Yukon while tending to the job, Shane as a firefighter and Deputy Conservation Officer, and no need to explain Dr. Oakley’s job as a Veterinarian. At home, they make the most of the family time.
In their years together, the couple has given birth to three daughters. Sierra Oakley is their eldest who looks up to her mother and has completed DVM education. Then came Maya, and the youngest child is Willow Oakley. All three are raised in the remotes of Yukon against cold and wilderness.
Dr. Oakley and her husband use vacations as recreation and family time. On the occasion of their 20th marriage anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Oakley went to Hawaii, to the Big Island the very place they got married. They were joined by their girls. The family is used to Scuba diving and loves snorkeling.
Dr. Oakley’s Early Life
Growing up in Munster, Indiana she had a strong affinity towards animals. Spending her time by the creek she would build fort and rescue animals. She loved riding horses and raised pets such as a pug cross and a snake. Her uncle owned a farm and she would take her time learning there.
She attended Munster High School graduated in 1987 and enrolled in pre-med studies at the University of Michigan. During her time at the university, she took her first trip to the Yukon as a field assistant on an arctic ground squirrel ecology study. In 1991, She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Animal Biology.
Career & Progression
What began as a love for animals during childhood and as a grown up Dr. Oakley finds herself indulged in the profession of helping and rescuing them. Not a coincidence, right?
After the pre-med, Dr. Oakley joined Atlantic Veterinary College in Canada where she graduated with a degree in veterinary medicine in 2000. She worked as a Wildlife Veterinarian and regional biologist for the Yukon Government from October 2001 to January 2009. Around the time she also worked as a contract veterinarian at Yukon Wildlife Preserve in Whitehorse Canada and continues to this day.
Always a student of learning, in 2008, Dr. Oakely joined a zoo medicine internship program hosted by the University of Calgary. There she learned about zoo and wildlife health. In 2011 She worked for Calgary Zoo for less than a year.
She currently operates a veterinary service out of her home in Haines Junction a village with barely 800 inhabitants. She has performed her skill in pets as well as wild animals including sled dogs, horses, cows, lap dogs, and snakes. Also, Dr.Oakley works on-call at the All Paws animal clinic. Sometimes she has to travel for hours in the freezing cold to attend to the emergencies at the patient’s home.
Dr. Oakley operates her satellite clinic in Haines while sharing it with the American Bald Eagle Foundation which houses injured birds unable to survive in the wild.
Television
Her television career began in 2014 when she starred in the reality series Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet on Nat Geo Wild. The show follows her adventures as she travels across the vast and rugged landscape, treating animals of all shapes and sizes, from sled dogs to muskoxen, from owls to reindeer. She often faces challenges and risks, such as darting bison from helicopters, operating on a caribou with growths on its nose, or dealing with an angry muskox. She has been on the air for 12 seasons. She has earned many fans and admirers for her work and her astounding. She also balances her professional duties with her personal life, as a wife and a mother of three daughters, Sierra, Maya, and Willow.
Dr. Oakley’s Salary and Net Worth
Dr. Michelle Oakley has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million USD. She has established a successful career as a reality star, which has become her primary source of income. She reportedly earns around $20,000 per episode of “Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet”. Her net worth is also influenced by her earnings as a veterinarian and a wildlife conservationist.
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45 Comments
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Although I do not know Dr. Michelle Oakley, she seems to truly care for all the different animals she treats. There is something very genuine about Dr. Oakley that I like. I wish her lots success in all she does, and hope her show continues many more years.
PS: Not to forget her husband and three lovely daughters, what a nice family.
I love watching her TV show. She is such a smart young lady. She sure knows alot about all the different animals in her area. She is truly a great veterinarian. Her daughter’s will probably follow in her foot steps for sure. What’s not to love about Dr Oakley. I’m from Indianapolis, Indiana so not real far from where she was born. I really just found this out. I hope her show is on for a long time. It’s a joy to watch. Thanks for all you do Dr Oakley!!!Roy Morgan
Totally love her genuine love n respect for all animals, have written before, however but this time, this is trivial, but you are so cute with your fabric hat n hair in pony tail, so I am right about showing your face! U r a doll! Everyone loves you!
I enjoyed the article and I love to watch the show. She always seems to be up for anything and really knows her stuff. If I ever get to travel out there I would love to meet her. She has an awesome family!
Hi Dr Oakley my name is Efrain from San Juan Puerto Rico and i love what you do,you are my favorite vet.I’m a us veteran and i’m disable vet.
God has a place for you in heaven.I also prey for you and your family every day.Keep doing what you do because you are the best.Best of luck.And hug all your staff they are wonderful,i kkep watching your shows,bye,Efrain
Love you Dr Oakley, very few people have your gift and love of animals. Love watching you, you are an angel to animals
I am from Munter as well
Love watching Dr.Oakley every Sat.
I would like to know what ethnicity is Dr. Oakley’s mom? Thank you
Dr. Oakley & Dr. Pol are a real pleasure to watch, I wish there was more …great TV
I really enjoy Dr Oakley’s expertise.
I have one suggestion about her grammar. She needs to say “TRY TO…” NOT “TRY AND…”
Apparently you are the only one that cares about her grammar. The rest of us are enchanted by her love of animals and the excellent care that she provides. If you have the time to listen to each and every sentence, verbatim, and parse it, then perhaps TV isn’t the best entertainment venue for you. Perhaps you should try reading. I suggest that you begin with Beowolf, The Canterbury Tales and the complete works of Shakespeare. When you’re done reading them get back to me for further suggestions.
I have enjoyed watching Michelle Oakley for quite a while now. Always enjoy her and really admire the way she is with the animals, no baby talk like that Dr. K,; she’s just very competent, kind and is teaching her daughters to learn how to help with and appreciate animals as well. We love to watch her work!
Dr Michelle Oakley has the best VET show on TV I hope her show makes it to the magic number of 100 episodes or more if possible It is also good too see her family work with her .
Try to NOT try and…
Should get equal pay as Dr Pol
But, after watching many episodes she needs to clean up her yard!!!
Love to watch Dr. Oakley. She is always smiling and you can tell she loves animals. I am inpressedthe knowledge she has about so many diferent. Animals. She makes her profession seem sovibrant. Exciting interesting
Love Dr. Oakley’s show and watching re-runs as well! She has some pretty dangerous patients! She has an excellent affinity with her patients and their parents (owners). It’s pretty cool the whole family is involved too. I also enjoy her wonderful sense of humor 🙂 Keep up the good work Dr. Oakley!
I have truly enjoyed watching her show but must say super disappointed over her not being a responsible vet and dog owner by not spaying her dog Bindy.
Love this show , but the Music is too loud I can’t hear her talk half the time
I love Dr Oakley I watch her show every week. My first cousin Sandy Glover Freeman went to school with Dr Oakleys mother in Hammond Indiana they were close friends. She is an awesome lady.
Barbara Garner Bullard
Dr. Michelle Oakley is a highly skilled veterinaroan who is so dedicated to all animals and a learning experience to watch. She is quick, capable, light natured and even frolickey at the most difficult of times. She is surely on the mark and an amazing shot. She is young and smiley and kind and has a simplistic approach to some very complicated procedures. She has a big heart and all her patrons and folks love her. I love her too. But no more pets. I congratulate her on her series and I look forward to watching many many more. Dr. Oakley, I think you are the greatest and I wish you good health and good fortune to carry on forever.
Having had a standard poodle for 17 years, I learned many little procedures from my vet. I just think vets are wonderful and Dr. Michelle Oakley has me as her captive audience. Best of everything Dr. OAKLEY, I also like your daughters. They are really good.
I want to become a vet in Canada in the Yukon Territory.
Love Dr. Oakley. Watch her all the time. She is amazing with all the animals and love her sense of humour. Hope they never cancel this programme. I am impressed the way she works in both the Yukon and Alaska. It is great the way she involves the kids and her husband when possible. It is also rather educational .
Nobody does it any better than the Oakley girls. Reminds me a lot of Saint Francis of Alisa. You are remarkable saint. Stay Healthy Be good and Stay safe A true named Philip
The best show on TV I don’t miss any of your shows. You are also a very beautiful and pretty lady. You take care and keep up your great show
My spouse and I started watching this one day when we were searching for something different on Disney+. Glad we found Dr.Oakley. She is one of a kind for sure and we love her sense of humor. Really nice family too. Keep up the good work Michelle.
Dr Oakley
I love your show, especially your demeanor and intentional fortitude. You don’t back up for any challenge.
For what it’s worth , you are grossly UNDERPAID at $15,000 per episode.
I live in Benton, Arkansas. 84 years old and raised 5 children plus 4 step children (partially) so wholesome entertainment is paramount. You are a great role model for young girls ( and boys for that matter).
Michelle Oakley is a fantastic Vet. great Mom and I am sure a really great Wife, she is just a down to Earth Women and Mother, anybody would be lucky to know her and have Dr, Oakley as a friend.
You go Girl!!!
Dr Oakley DVM is a great family show. She is a exceptional professional Vet with a great sense of humor and personal demeanor .Nat Geo Wild has a winner here .I hope to see many more episodes in the future. Its good to see how her daughters are growing up and to decide on what they want to do for a career. All the best
James Hamill Canton ohio
Dr. Oakley is utterly delightful! Love her spirit and her passion .
you and your beautiful family , both 2 and 4 legged are just wonderful and this family of mine loves you all and everything you all do! We are so thankful you are on T V for us all to enjoy! It is so cool that you are all so darn good looking too!!!! we are all so lucky to have you in it for us all to see,
Mrs Johanna & Grand daughter Chloe Hoffman
East London South Africa
We love watching your programme keep up the good work
Love watching your show always something different.
Pretty upsetting to learn that Dr. Oakley makes half of what Doctor Pol does per episode if this article is accurate
LOVE the show , It has been so special watching your girls grow into lovely young women ,èspecially Willow she cracks me up ,Dr Michelle I have to ask you your terms of endearment love and Lovey are so British ( I’m from Yorkshire) just makes me smile) now Canadian Citizen past 30 hrs I’d, love to meet you and your lovely Family lived in Calgary when you visited the Zoo ,My wife and I now live in Medicine Hat since we retired . Thanks for bringing us and so many others so much pleasure, sincerely Kevin and Arlene.
k?
I can’t think of a thing that hasn’t been said about this incredible woman and her love of and ability with all animals. Off the vet job she is an amazing wife and mother raising 3 girls with love of animals and possible careers as vets. I am from a farm life and have down several procedures on animals so am able to relate to skills she has and possible problems dealing with animals, even their way of “talking back”. Keep the program on forever following with the Oakley daughters.
What a treat to watch a talented vet. do her stuff. Love the program and hope to see many more episodes.
Raynette
Ann Arbor, Mich. GO BLUE!
Thank-you for all your work it’s awesome to see the love you bring to all you do I’m grateful for you, you always make me smile hope all are well in wake of all the bad stuff right now God bless you Dr Oakley again thank-you take care and stay warm yes I’m in CANADA Kamloops BC.
I watch your show regularly you are fantastic for what you do and love I’m into nature since I was a kid now 66 years old so keep those shows comming tyvm god bless stay safe
Dear Michelle
I love your program Yucon Vet you have a special heart for animals thanks FOR THAT
SO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART BECAUSE I LOVE ANIMALS TOO.
I HAVE A JACK RUSSELL OF 17.5 YEARS AND HE IS TOTALLY BLIND AND DEF BUT HE IS STILL HAPPY.SO HE WAS WITH US THIS YEAR THIS CHRISTMAS AND I HOPE WE MAY HAVE HIM FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
MICHELLE I WANT TO KNOW THE CLOTHS YOU WEAR ON YOUR HEAD
I LOVE THEM WHERE COULD I BUY THIS. SORRY FOR MY BAD ENGLISH I LIVE IN BELGIUM. PLEASE CAN YOU GIVE ME A LITTLE ANSWER PLEASE. CAN YOU MAIL ME PLEASE
Just love the show and Dr. Oakley. Dr. Oakley is so smart, kind, and caring with all the animals. I just love and admire what a nice mother she is. She’s so proud of her daughters, and loves them helping her out. They are so lucky to have such a caring, patient, knowledgeable mother. I always tell my husband, that I would love to meet Dr. Oakley some day, because I admire her so much:))))
are shane and dr oakley divorced? he is not part of the show anymore. it is now october 2021
and new show is on and no mention of shane or daughter willow. are maya and her sister
actual vet techs now? what happened to tracy her assistant? so many odd things now. been
watching this family since the show started, how is daisy?