Gov. Josh Shapiro joined Secretary Redding and Santa Claus for an annual, collaborative event between Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, ZooAmerica, and the Department of Agriculture to highlight the care animals receive from veterinarians and the work of the Bureau of Animal Health.
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Santa Claus stands by his reindeer at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane where they received care from veterinarians and the Bureau of Animal Health.
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Gov. Josh Shapiro, Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and Pennsylvania State Veterinarian Dr. Alex Hamberg this week met with Santa Claus and his nine reindeer at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane this week to announce that the reindeer have received a clean bill of health and are cleared for take-off on Dec. 24.
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HERSHEY — Gov. Josh Shapiro, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, and Pennsylvania State Veterinarian Dr. Alex Hamberg this week joined Santa Claus and his team of reindeer at HersheyPark to announce that the reindeer received a clean bill of health and they have been cleared for special deliveries across Pennsylvania on Dec. 24.
“This magical time of year brings lightness and cheer to every Pennsylvanian — no matter what holidays you celebrate,” said Gov. Shapiro. “I know I love the holiday season and how it brings people together. This is a time for family, for generosity, for finding a bit of light — also a time to remember folks like our state vets who serve our communities every day and help ensure Santa can make it safely to every community in PA. Merry Christmas!”
Santa’s reindeer — Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph — received clearance to fly to Pennsylvania from Dr. Robert F. Gerlach, Alaska’s state veterinarian. Pennsylvania State Veterinarian Dr. Alex Hamberg reviewed their Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and declared them healthy to fly from rooftop to rooftop across all 67 Pennsylvania counties for the purposes of “toy delivery by air” to “good boys and girls of Pennsylvania.”
The certificates are required as an assurance that contagious diseases are not carried across state lines.
“Despite Rudolph’s shiny red nose and the team’s mysterious ability to fly, our veterinary experts have declared Santa’s reindeer healthy for their important holiday task,” Secretary Redding said. “Due to excellent care from Santa’s herd manager at the North Pole, and from Hersheypark’s team during their stay here, parents across Pennsylvania can sleep peacefully on Christmas Eve.”
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
