Oct. 21--Furry traveling companions now officially have their own indoor bathroom at O'Hare International Airport.
The room is designed to accommodate passengers traveling with service animals or pets and is complete with artificial grass, miniature fire hydrants and a pop-up sprinkler system to wash away liquid waste, officials said.
Located past security checkpoints in the Rotunda area of Terminal 3, travelers will no longer have to pass back through security to let their animals relieve themselves. Officials said that any animal traveling with its owner is able to use the room.
"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 Ginger Evans, Chicago Department of Aviation commissioner, in a news release. "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, which has a door with a glass pane that opens and closes automatically, will have two, 2-foot-by-4-foot pet relief areas and a mounted hose bib and reel is available for manual spraying. Plastic bags are also available to owners. The room is also wheelchair accessible and includes two sinks for passenger use. Owners are responsible for their pets, officials said.
The indoor room will complement the three outdoor relief areas near the lower level curb in front of Terminals 1, 2, and 5. The outdoor areas have real grass, gravel or wood chips, are fenced in and have plastic bags and garbage cans.
gwong@tribpub.com
