[Nfbf-l] Indoor Service animal relief area

[Patricia A. Lipovsky]

CHICAGO, October 20, 2015 - The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA)

announces the opening of an indoor service animal/pet relief room at O'Hare

International Airport.

 

Located past security checkpoints in the Rotunda area of Terminal 3, the

room is specially designed to accommodate passengers traveling with service

animals or pets. It is particularly convenient for those with

layovers/connecting flights at O'Hare.  It will enhance the traveling

experience for individuals with disabilities because they no longer need to

pass back through security to relieve their service animal.

 

The recently-opened indoor service animal/pet relief room at O'Hare is

located just north of the Rotunda in Terminal 3.

 

The room has two, 2-foot by 4-foot pet relief areas complete with artificial

grass covering, miniature fire hydrants and pop-up sprinkler systems to wash

away liquid waste into a drain. In addition, a mounted hose bib and reel is 

available for manual spraying and plastic bags are provided for clean-up. 

 

The room is enclosed, has a door with a glass pane that opens and closes 

automatically, and is designed for wheelchair access. The room also includes

two sinks for passenger use.

 

"We are pleased to offer this new amenity for passengers, especially those 

who depend on the assistance of service animals when they travel through our

airport," said CDA Commissioner Ginger S. Evans. "This is another way we are

making O'Hare International Airport more accessible to the traveling public 

and creating a more welcoming environment for visitors to Chicago."

 

The room features two pet relief areas with hydrants, and plastic bags, 

sinks and a hose for clean up.

 

The CDA coordinated with the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities 

(MOPD) to ensure the room is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities 

Act (ADA) standards.

 

"The new indoor animal relief area located in the secured terminal of O'Hare

International Airport will enhance the traveling experience for individuals 

with service animals, particularly those with connecting flights," said MOPD

 

Commissioner Karen Timely. "This feature is another step towards our goal of

making Chicago a world class accessible city for people with disabilities."

 

In addition to the new airside animal relief room, there are three outdoor 

service animal/ pet relief areas located near the lower level curb front of 

Terminals 1, 2 and 5. The Terminal 1 and 5 outdoor locations were opened in 

2009 and the Terminal 2 location was added in 2014. Midway International 

Airport also has an outdoor service animal and pet relief area located near 

the lower level curb front at the north end of the terminal that opened in 

2009.

 

Real grass, gravel or wood chips are used inside the fenced-in areas and 

plastic bags and garbage cans are provided. CDA and custodial staff monitor
the areas throughout the day to ensure cleanliness.