Who takes care of Santa’s Reindeer? A veterinarian, of course!
This career day season has started off with a bang. Because of our tremendous LazyPaw team, I am fortunate to be able to regularly spend time out of the office and in our Frisco Community. I visit several Frisco Independent School District schools each year where I answer questions about my profession as well as my own specific areas of veterinary practice. .PNG)
When I visit the schools we spend a lot of time discussing the different species I have worked on, the types of clinical cases I have seen and the different places I have worked. We discuss the differences between in-clinic and ambulatory practice and the benefits and, sometimes, the drawbacks of each. My favorite students, elementary and kindergarten can be challenging at times; however, they often ask the most insightful, funny and thought provoking questions. I love ‘em!!!
During a recent school visit, one small child very bravely raised her hand and asked me, “What about reindeer?” I told her that I have worked on white tailed deer, bison and elk, each with great trepidation. That answer failed to suffice. She pressed on, “But what about Santa’s reindeer?” My initial thought was, “Well, what about them?” And then I realized she was indeed serious. I needed to be on my game to answer this one. I could have blown her off and told her that they never got sick because they are magical beings. I mean, how else could they deliver all those gifts in time? But no, a valid question deserved a legitimate response. And then I remembered an article I’d read about Santa’s Official Veterinarian. I then told her class made up of a dozen or so shining faces patiently awaiting the answer to this most sage of questions, “Who takes care of Santa’s reindeer? Well, a veterinarian, of course!” I explained that Santa’s workshop was very far away and difficult to get to for most people and so veterinarians specializing in hoof stock, which includes reindeer, compete to spend an entire year with their families at the North Pole. School age children of a parent awarded this most prestigious post have a special opportunity and enter the Elf School Exchange Program where they take classes in traditional studies as well as electives in basic and advanced toy making. 
Official Veterinarians are required to ensure that Santa’s reindeer stay healthy throughout the year. During the spring, summer and fall, the Official Reindeer Veterinarian performs regular well checks, administering preventative care vaccinations and monitoring blood work based upon each individual’s specific needs. Because they are required to fly all night long while pulling a heavily laden sleigh, the reindeers’ diet as well as their fitness and strength training programs are also overseen by Santa’s Official Veterinarian.
A month prior to lift off, the Official Veterinarian performs a full health check to make sure the reindeer are free from disease and in excellent health so that they won’t catch a cold during their long trip. A hoof and leg check is a critical part of this as it take a great deal of skill and physical strength to land and to take off from slippery rooftops; it is the veterinarian’s job to make sure each flyer is up to the job. An additional pre-flight examination and health check is performed 24 hours prior to their scheduled Christmas Eve take off to ensure all reindeer are fit to fly. Rudolph receives a special examination to ensure his nose will glow should the need arise! Official paperwork certifying that all reindeer are in good health and free from disease can then be completed so that they will be permitted entry and exit from every country in the world. (An Official Santa’s Reindeer Veterinarian must be certified so that she or he may write international health certificates which allow Santa to legally land and take off without unnecessary delays at country borders.) The Official Veterinarian for Santa’s reindeer is on-call, 24/7 but only worries about possible weather related hazards on the Christmas Eve flight because Santa takes such wonderful care of his charges. On Christmas Day following their safe return, Santa’s Official Reindeer Veterinarian performs his or her final duties: verifying each reindeer is top flight shape following his long journey, saying a special good bye to each and by introducing the new Official Veterinarian to his or her new patients.
A month prior to lift off, the Official Veterinarian performs a full health check to make sure the reindeer are free from disease and in excellent health so that they won’t catch a cold during their long trip. A hoof and leg check is a critical part of this as it take a great deal of skill and physical strength to land and to take off from slippery rooftops; it is the veterinarian’s job to make sure each flyer is up to the job. An additional pre-flight examination and health check is performed 24 hours prior to their scheduled Christmas Eve take off to ensure all reindeer are fit to fly. Rudolph receives a special examination to ensure his nose will glow should the need arise! Official paperwork certifying that all reindeer are in good health and free from disease can then be completed so that they will be permitted entry and exit from every country in the world. (An Official Santa’s Reindeer Veterinarian must be certified so that she or he may write international health certificates which allow Santa to legally land and take off without unnecessary delays at country borders.) The Official Veterinarian for Santa’s reindeer is on-call, 24/7 but only worries about possible weather related hazards on the Christmas Eve flight because Santa takes such wonderful care of his charges. On Christmas Day following their safe return, Santa’s Official Reindeer Veterinarian performs his or her final duties: verifying each reindeer is top flight shape following his long journey, saying a special good bye to each and by introducing the new Official Veterinarian to his or her new patients.
]]>