Even Santa's reindeer need a veterinarian!
Being AVMA President certainly has its perks, including the title of Santa's Official Veterinarian. In addition to providing regular preventive care to Santa's reindeer, this means examining Rudolph and each of the others in preparation for their special flight around the world.
Just like you and your pets, Santa's reindeer need to be examined and issued health certificates in order to travel between U.S. states or across national borders. Thankfully, they've never had a problem being certified for flight, due in good measure to the regular examinations and preventive veterinary care they receive from AVMA's president to keep them healthy.
As Official Veterinarian of the North Pole, AVMA President Dr. Rena Carlson has performed this important annual examination with the aid of Ashli Selki, past-president of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians (NAVTA).
And there’s good news to report: all Santa’s reindeer are in great shape and free of injury and disease! Because animals require a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) before travel, Dr. Carlson’s sign-off means the reindeer team are healthy enough to help Santa deliver presents.
- Watch the video of Dr. Rena Carlson and Ashli Selki performing the veterinary examination with Rudolph and the rest of the herd.
- Check out the official Certificate of Inspection for Santa's reindeer (PDF).
- Read answers to kids' questions about the reindeer and the role of Santa's Veterinarian.
- Track Santa and his reindeer, thanks to NORAD's Santa Tracker!
Be sure to keep your own pets safe during the holiday season, by following our holiday pet safety advice and avoiding these holiday pet DON'Ts.
Join the ELVES: Social media for veterinarians
Share holiday fun with clients by using these social media images to "join" the Santa's ELVES support team!
Holiday pet DON'Ts
The holidays are certainly a festive time, but they can also be a risky time for your pets. Keep your holidays happy and safe by avoiding some of the risky holiday behaviors.
'Twas a Month Before Christmas
'Twas a month before Christmas, and at the North Pole
The AVMA president was about to play a most critical role.
For without healthy reindeer to pull Santa's sleigh
There'd be no presents waiting to be opened Christmas Day.
So snapping on boots, and donning a cap
Our president traveled north to a spot not found on the map
Where elves tend to reindeer in fields at play,
Brushing their fur and delivering hay.
But as Christmas approaches and travel draws near
Someone must come to examine the deer
And ensure that they're healthy enough for their flight,
Pulling nonstop with all of their might.
And as president of the AVMA,
This veterinarian has been given final medical say
To examine their fur, looking for mites
Or other critters that can cause painful bites.
With stethoscope listening for their hearts beating strong,
Or signs of arrhythmia, or anything wrong.
While flying is easy for deer's legs and hooves,
It’s stressful to take off and land on so many roofs.
Hooves should be clean and free of debris
That may cause the deer to fly tenderly.
While we want to help Santa spread presents and cheer,
We don’t want disease hitching a ride on the deer.
Tests will confirm there's no brucellosis
Or chronic wasting disease, or tuberculosis.
Countries across the world need proof
That the deer won't leave deadly bugs on the roof.
So Santa's veterinarian fills out all the paperwork needed
To ensure the deer can cross borders unimpeded.
With certificates signed, the doctor tells St. Nick
That none of his deer are injured or sick.
From the veterinarians who work day and night,
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a safe flight.
