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December 21, 2022 - Hershey, PA

Secretary of Agriculture Announces Santa's Reindeer Receive Clean Bill of Health, Approved for Gift Deliveries in Pennsylvania on Christmas Eve

Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Pennsylvania State Veterinarian Dr. Kevin Brightbill joined Santa Claus and his nine reindeer at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane to announce that they have received a clean bill of health and are cleared for take-off on December 24.

"Not everyone knows what takes place behind the scenes to allow Santa and his nine reindeer to take flight on Christmas Eve," said Agriculture Secretary Redding. "Thanks to Dr. Brightbill, his counterpart in the North Pole, the care of ZooAmerica veterinarians, and Santa's due diligence, families can expect gifts under the tree Christmas morning."

The reindeer, answering to the names of Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen, and Rudolph received clearance to fly to Pennsylvania from Dr. Robert F. Gerlach, Alaska’s state veterinarian. This Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and Permit to Ship allows them to fly from rooftop to rooftop in PA for the purpose of toy delivery.

Speakers Include:
Amanda Polyak, Public Relations Manager at the Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company
Denise Snyder, Reindeer Specialist ZooAmerica
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding
Dr. Kevin Brightbill, Pennsylvania State Veterinarian
Santa Claus



Dancer the reindeer is pictured during a press conference, announcing that Santas reindeer have received a clean bill of health and are cleared for take-off on December 24, at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Not everyone knows what takes place behind the scenes to allow Santa and his nine reindeer to take flight on Christmas Eve, said Agriculture Secretary Redding. Thanks to Dr. Brightbill, his counterpart in the North Pole, the care of ZooAmerica veterinarians, and Santas due diligence, families can expect gifts under the tree Christmas morning.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22439_AG_ReindeerFlight_NK_001.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding speaks during a press conference, announcing that Santas reindeer have received a clean bill of health and are cleared for take-off on December 24, at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Not everyone knows what takes place behind the scenes to allow Santa and his nine reindeer to take flight on Christmas Eve, said Agriculture Secretary Redding. Thanks to Dr. Brightbill, his counterpart in the North Pole, the care of ZooAmerica veterinarians, and Santas due diligence, families can expect gifts under the tree Christmas morning.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22439_AG_ReindeerFlight_NK_002.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Santa, portrayed by Barry Klinger, looks Vixen the reindeer during a press conference, announcing that Santas reindeer have received a clean bill of health and are cleared for take-off on December 24, at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Not everyone knows what takes place behind the scenes to allow Santa and his nine reindeer to take flight on Christmas Eve, said Agriculture Secretary Redding. Thanks to Dr. Brightbill, his counterpart in the North Pole, the care of ZooAmerica veterinarians, and Santas due diligence, families can expect gifts under the tree Christmas morning.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22439_AG_ReindeerFlight_NK_003.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Pennsylvania State Veterinarian Dr. Kevin Brightbill during a press conference, announcing that Santas reindeer have received a clean bill of health and are cleared for take-off on December 24, at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Not everyone knows what takes place behind the scenes to allow Santa and his nine reindeer to take flight on Christmas Eve, said Agriculture Secretary Redding. Thanks to Dr. Brightbill, his counterpart in the North Pole, the care of ZooAmerica veterinarians, and Santas due diligence, families can expect gifts under the tree Christmas morning.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22439_AG_ReindeerFlight_NK_004.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding speaks during a press conference, announcing that Santas reindeer have received a clean bill of health and are cleared for take-off on December 24, at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Not everyone knows what takes place behind the scenes to allow Santa and his nine reindeer to take flight on Christmas Eve, said Agriculture Secretary Redding. Thanks to Dr. Brightbill, his counterpart in the North Pole, the care of ZooAmerica veterinarians, and Santas due diligence, families can expect gifts under the tree Christmas morning.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22439_AG_ReindeerFlight_NK_005.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Amanda Polyak, Public Relations Manager for Hersheypark, speaks during a press conference, announcing that Santas reindeer have received a clean bill of health and are cleared for take-off on December 24, at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Not everyone knows what takes place behind the scenes to allow Santa and his nine reindeer to take flight on Christmas Eve, said Agriculture Secretary Redding. Thanks to Dr. Brightbill, his counterpart in the North Pole, the care of ZooAmerica veterinarians, and Santas due diligence, families can expect gifts under the tree Christmas morning.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22439_AG_ReindeerFlight_NK_006.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Santa, portrayed by Barry Klinger, looks at the reindeer during a press conference, announcing that Santas reindeer have received a clean bill of health and are cleared for take-off on December 24, at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Not everyone knows what takes place behind the scenes to allow Santa and his nine reindeer to take flight on Christmas Eve, said Agriculture Secretary Redding. Thanks to Dr. Brightbill, his counterpart in the North Pole, the care of ZooAmerica veterinarians, and Santas due diligence, families can expect gifts under the tree Christmas morning.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22439_AG_ReindeerFlight_NK_007.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Pennsylvania State Veterinarian Dr. Kevin Brightbill during a press conference, announcing that Santas reindeer have received a clean bill of health and are cleared for take-off on December 24, at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Not everyone knows what takes place behind the scenes to allow Santa and his nine reindeer to take flight on Christmas Eve, said Agriculture Secretary Redding. Thanks to Dr. Brightbill, his counterpart in the North Pole, the care of ZooAmerica veterinarians, and Santas due diligence, families can expect gifts under the tree Christmas morning.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22439_AG_ReindeerFlight_NK_008.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Santa, portrayed by Barry Klinger, and Vixen look at the camera during a press conference, announcing that Santas reindeer have received a clean bill of health and are cleared for take-off on December 24, at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Not everyone knows what takes place behind the scenes to allow Santa and his nine reindeer to take flight on Christmas Eve, said Agriculture Secretary Redding. Thanks to Dr. Brightbill, his counterpart in the North Pole, the care of ZooAmerica veterinarians, and Santas due diligence, families can expect gifts under the tree Christmas morning.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22439_AG_ReindeerFlight_NK_009.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Amanda Polyak, Public Relations Manager for Hersheypark, speaks during a press conference, announcing that Santas reindeer have received a clean bill of health and are cleared for take-off on December 24, at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Not everyone knows what takes place behind the scenes to allow Santa and his nine reindeer to take flight on Christmas Eve, said Agriculture Secretary Redding. Thanks to Dr. Brightbill, his counterpart in the North Pole, the care of ZooAmerica veterinarians, and Santas due diligence, families can expect gifts under the tree Christmas morning.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22439_AG_ReindeerFlight_NK_010.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Denise Snyder, a reindeer specialist with ZooAmerica, speaks during a press conference, announcing that Santas reindeer have received a clean bill of health and are cleared for take-off on December 24, at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Not everyone knows what takes place behind the scenes to allow Santa and his nine reindeer to take flight on Christmas Eve, said Agriculture Secretary Redding. Thanks to Dr. Brightbill, his counterpart in the North Pole, the care of ZooAmerica veterinarians, and Santas due diligence, families can expect gifts under the tree Christmas morning.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22439_AG_ReindeerFlight_NK_011.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding stands with Santa, portrayed by Barry Klinger, during a press conference, announcing that Santas reindeer have received a clean bill of health and are cleared for take-off on December 24, at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Not everyone knows what takes place behind the scenes to allow Santa and his nine reindeer to take flight on Christmas Eve, said Agriculture Secretary Redding. Thanks to Dr. Brightbill, his counterpart in the North Pole, the care of ZooAmerica veterinarians, and Santas due diligence, families can expect gifts under the tree Christmas morning.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22439_AG_ReindeerFlight_NK_012.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding stands with Santa, portrayed by Barry Klinger, during a press conference, announcing that Santas reindeer have received a clean bill of health and are cleared for take-off on December 24, at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Not everyone knows what takes place behind the scenes to allow Santa and his nine reindeer to take flight on Christmas Eve, said Agriculture Secretary Redding. Thanks to Dr. Brightbill, his counterpart in the North Pole, the care of ZooAmerica veterinarians, and Santas due diligence, families can expect gifts under the tree Christmas morning.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22439_AG_ReindeerFlight_NK_013.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Denise Snyder, a reindeer specialist with ZooAmerica, speaks during a press conference, announcing that Santas reindeer have received a clean bill of health and are cleared for take-off on December 24, at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Not everyone knows what takes place behind the scenes to allow Santa and his nine reindeer to take flight on Christmas Eve, said Agriculture Secretary Redding. Thanks to Dr. Brightbill, his counterpart in the North Pole, the care of ZooAmerica veterinarians, and Santas due diligence, families can expect gifts under the tree Christmas morning.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22439_AG_ReindeerFlight_NK_014.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Santa Claus, portrayed by Barry Klinger, speaks during a press conference, announcing that Santas reindeer have received a clean bill of health and are cleared for take-off on December 24, at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Not everyone knows what takes place behind the scenes to allow Santa and his nine reindeer to take flight on Christmas Eve, said Agriculture Secretary Redding. Thanks to Dr. Brightbill, his counterpart in the North Pole, the care of ZooAmerica veterinarians, and Santas due diligence, families can expect gifts under the tree Christmas morning.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22439_AG_ReindeerFlight_NK_015.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a>