Just like any other airline in the world, there are always ‘pre-checks,’ that have to take place, and Santa’s reindeer have been given the all-clear for take-off on Christmas eve.
Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen have been cleared for travel by the North Pole’s veterinarian.
John Howe, DVM, Santa’s personal animal caregiver and president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), visited the North Pole earlier this month to give the reindeer a preflight health check, ensure they were up to date on their vaccinations, and make sure they have the required certificates allowing them to travel across state and national borders.
“After a full examination and review of their medical records, I’m pleased to say Santa’s reindeer are healthy, in great shape, and ready to fly on Christmas Eve,” Dr. Howe says.
The annual exam includes a health check to ensure the team is not showing any signs of disease, such as brucellosis, tuberculosis, or chronic wasting disease, which might affect their ability to fly or make other animals sick.
“We need to make sure the reindeer aren’t harboring any diseases they could then potentially spread to animals in other parts of the world,” Howe says. “At the same time, making sure they’re healthy also means they’re less likely to catch any diseases themselves on that long global flight.”
Santa, who was unavailable for comment, issued a statement saying the health and well-being of his reindeer are essential to the success of his busiest night of the year.
“Without my reindeer, there simply would be no Christmas,” he said. “Proper veterinary care ensures that year in and year out, my team and I can deliver presents to boys and girls around the world. Dr. Howe is definitely on the ‘nice list’ again this year.”
New Zealand will be the first country Santa will visit as he makes his way around the world to drop off Christmas presents for all the boys and girls under their Christmas trees.
So now the count down begins for Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen to make their way to Texas as they should be taking off in just a few hours to begin the long trip around the world.
