Meet Dr. Ray Harp, the Former ‘Incredible Dr. Pol’ Star Who Moved to Colorado

What does it take to become a veterinarian? For Ray Harp, it took a lot of courage, perseverance, love for animals and 37 years. He has a remarkable story of how he went from running a dog daycare in Philly to working with the legendary Dr. Pol in Michigan. Along the way, he has also faced many ups and downs in his life, such as relocating across the country, switching careers, and starring on a reality TV show.

But how did Ray Harp end up working with Dr. Pol, the star of the Nat Geo Wild reality show “The Incredible Dr. Pol”? And what inspired him to pursue veterinary medicine after exploring other career options? Moreover, what made him leave Dr. Pol’s clinic and start a new adventure in Colorado? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, as we reveal the fascinating journey of Ray Harp, who is not only a skilled veterinarian, but also a loving husband, a proud father, and a passionate animal lover.

Childhood in Kansas

Dr. Ray Harp was born in December 1981 in Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. His parents are Norman Ray Harp Sr. and Mary Harp. He grew up alongside his siblings in his hometown, where he developed an interest in biology and animals. He attended Kansas State University, where he earned his bachelor of science degree in biology. He later obtained a veterinary medical degree from Kansas State University in May 2019.

From Dog Daycare to Reality Television

Dr. Ray Harp had a long and adventurous journey before he found his true calling as a veterinarian. He worked as a health worker, a dog daycare manager, and even contemplated becoming a human doctor. His resume listed his experience in dog daycare management in Philadelphia, animal hospital work in Kansas City, and health department service in Wyandotte County.

Dr. Harp’s first choice was human medicine, but he was unsure about it. He said

“I was considering going into human medicine, and I kind of went back and forth for a little while.”

It was his wife Chloe who nudged him to pursue animal medicine instead. She was inspired by watching ‘The Incredible Dr.Pol’. He recalled,

“When I was deciding whether or not I should go to vet school, we were actually watching Dr. Pol. And my wife said, ‘You know, I think you should just go ahead and apply. That looks like a lot of fun.’ So that’s how I ended up going to vet school.”

He graduated with a DVM degree from Kansas State University at the age of 37 in May 2019.

His next big break came when he saw an ad for Pol Veterinary Services, the clinic of Dr. Jan Pol, the star of the hit reality show “The Incredible Dr. Pol”. Dr. Harp had been a fan of the show and was impressed by Dr. Pol’s skills and charisma. He applied for the job and got hired as an associate veterinarian on July 1, 2019. He soon made his TV debut on season 17 premiere of the show, titled “Su-Pol Sized!”.

Dr. Harp loved working with all kinds of animals, big and small. He had a passion for mixed animal practice and enjoyed the variety and challenge it offered. He shared his insights and experiences in an interview with Charles Pol, Dr. Pol’s son and co-star.

“I think so. I don’t have a lot of experience in it, but about halfway through vet school, I decided that that’s really what I wanted to do,”

Dr. Harp said when Charles asked him if he always wanted to work in a mixed animal practice.

“I had some experience with some rescue that rescued large and small animals, and I decided that I just really liked working with all kinds of animals. I thought small animals would just get kind of boring after a while, not that there’s not enough to know and do, but it’s just nice to have a variety in your work.”

Exit from The Incredible Dr. Pol and Life After

Dr. Harp appeared in 17 episodes of “The Incredible Dr. Pol”, before leaving the show in 2021. He did not reveal the reason for his departure, but Charles Pol said it was due to family reasons.

“We were really sad to see him go but we wish him the best. It’s one of those things, people move on for all different reasons and Dr. Ray had to move on for family reasons,”

Charles said in a Facebook Live event.

Dr. Harp moved to Colorado, where he continues to practice as a full-time veterinarian. He is affiliated with several local vet clinics, such as Veterinary Hospital Associates and Vetcor. He also enjoys the scenic views of the desert canyons, as he posted on his Instagram account. “Now all desert canyons all the time,” he wrote.

Dr. Ray Harp is an example of how life can take unexpected turns and lead one to their true calling. From watching Dr. Pol’s adventures on TV to becoming an integral part of his clinic’s team in Michigan, Dr. Harp’s journey showcases the power of inspiration, determination, and the winding path that can lead one to their dream career.

Ray Harp: Wiki/Bio Facts

Full name	Ray Harp
Date of birth	December 1981
Age	42
Place of birth	Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Caucasian
Religion	Christianity
Gender	Male
Sexuality	Straight
Education	Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Kansas State University, Doctorate of veterinary medicine from Kansas State University
Occupation	Veterinarian
Former employer	Wyandotte County Health Department, Pol Veterinary Service
Former location	Kansas City Isabella County, Michigan
Current Employer	Veterinary Hospital Associates
Current Location	Colorado Springs, Colorado,
Spouse	Chloe Harp
Children	Jasper Harp, Juniper Harp
Hobbies	Hiking, camping, fishing, reading
Favorite animal	Dog
Favorite food	N/A
Favorite music genre	N/A
Favorite band	N/A
Favorite movie	N/A
Favorite actor	N/A
Favorite color	Blue
Favorite season	Spring
Biggest challenge	Moving to Michigan
Biggest achievement	Graduating from veterinary school
Biggest strength	Compassion
Best quality	Honesty
Reality show	The Incredible Dr. Pol
Show debut episode	Season 17, Episode 1: “Su-Pol Sized!”
Show debut date	July 11, 2020
Show description	A reality television show on Nat Geo Wild that follows Dutch-American veterinarian Jan Pol and his family and employees at his practice in rural Weidman, Michigan.
Net Worth	$400,000 (estimated)
Dr. Ray Harp’s Advice for Aspiring Veterinarians	To know what they want to do early and work really hard, as it gets harder to start a new career later in life.
Social Media	Instagram, LinkedIn

Dr. Ray Harp Net Worth

Dr. Ray Harp is a veterinarian who was featured on the reality show “The Incredible Dr. Pol” on Nat Geo Wild. He worked as an associate veterinarian at the West Jordan Road in Michigan from July 2019 to sometime in 2021. He then moved to Colorado, where he currently works as a full-time veterinarian.

How much is Dr. Ray Harp worth? That is a question that many fans wonder, but the answer is not easy to find. However, based on his impressive career and the average income of veterinarians in the US, we can make an educated guess that he has a net worth ranging from $250,00 to $800,000.

According to salary.com, Veterinarians in Michigan earn an average of $105,811 per year, with a range of $62,433 to $160,184, depending on their experience, skills, and location. This is slightly lower than the national average of $106,688 per year. Veterinarians in Colorado make a similar amount, with an average of $107,787 per year, and a range of $63,599 to $163,175, depending on their experience, skills, and location. These numbers show that Dr. Ray Harp is not only a successful veterinarian but also a well-paid one.

Dr. Ray Harp’s Wife & Kids

Dr. Ray Harp and his wife Chloe Harp have two children, Jasper and Juniper. Jasper is the elder sibling and both of them go to school in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where the family lives. Dr. Harp is grateful for his wife’s support and sacrifice, which enabled him to pursue his career. He shared his story in an interview with Dr. Pol and his son Charles on their YouTube show Recheck, saying:

“We had our son already, and my daughter was born right before I went back to school. It really wouldn’t have been possible at all without my wife, you know. It was long, long nights and being gone for days at a time, so without her, it wouldn’t have been possible at all.”

Not much is known about Chloe’s background, such as her family, education and profession, but she is a supportive wife and a loving mother.

FAQs

Q: When did Dr. Ray Harp join Dr. Pol’s clinic? A: Dr. Ray Harp joined Pol Veterinary Services on July 1, 2019.

Q: What inspired Dr. Ray Harp to pursue veterinary medicine? A: Dr. Ray Harp was influenced by his wife Chloe and by watching The Incredible Dr. Pol show on TV.

Q: Where did Dr. Ray Harp get his veterinary degree? A: Dr. Ray Harp earned his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Kansas State University.

Q: What kind of animals does Dr. Ray Harp treat? A: Dr. Ray Harp treats both large and small animals.

Q: Why did Dr. Ray Harp leave Dr. Pol’s clinic? A: Dr. Ray Harp left Pol Veterinary Services for family reasons.

Q: Where is Dr. Ray Harp working now? A: Dr. Ray Harp is currently working as a veterinarian in Colorado.

Q: What are some of Dr. Ray Harp’s hobbies and interests? A: Dr. Ray Harp enjoys hiking, camping, and exploring nature with his family.

Q: How old is Dr. Ray Harp and when is his birthday? A: Dr. Ray Harp is 42 years old as of 2024 and his exact birthday is in December.

Q: Does Dr. Ray Harp have any pets of his own? A: Yes.