December 21, 2022 - Hershey, PA
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