Santa's Reindeer receive clean bill of health, approved for deliveries
HERSHEY — Russell Redding, state secretary of agriculture, and Dr. Kevin Brightbill, Pennsylvania state veterinarian, joined Santa Claus and his nine reindeer Thursday at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane to announce that they have received a clean bill of health and are cleared for takeoff on Dec. 24.
“Not everyone knows what takes place behind the scenes to allow Santa and his nine reindeer to take flight on Christmas Eve,” Redding said. “Thanks to Dr. Brightbill, his counterpart in the North Pole, and Santa’s due diligence, we can expect gifts under the tree Christmas morning.”
The reindeer, answering to the names of Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph received clearance to fly to Pennsylvania from Dr. Robert Gerlach, Alaska’s state veterinarian. This Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and Permit to Ship allows them to fly from rooftop to rooftop in Pennsylvania for the purpose of toy delivery.
“I’m grateful to Dr. Gerlach for his inspection of these reindeer,” Brightbill said. “According to their certificates, despite one’s glaringly red nose and their magical ability to fly, word is that they’re in extraordinary health!”
Such certificates are required as an assurance that contagious diseases are not carried across state lines. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture veterinarians supply these certifications for animals residing in the state before they’re transported across state lines.
