--- title: "Service animals at O'Hare: TSA screening, relief areas" description: "TSA won't separate you from your service animal at the checkpoint. O'Hare lists relief areas before and after security. Your airline handles arrangements." url: "https://ordairportguide.com/guides/service-animals-at-ohare-security-trains-relief-areas/" updated: "2026-10-31" airport: "ORD" type: "guide" --- > Independent guide, not the official ORD website. All pages: https://ordairportguide.com/llms.txt # Service animals at O'Hare: security, trains and relief areas TSA won't separate you from your service animal at the checkpoint. O'Hare lists relief areas before and after security. Your airline handles arrangements. Updated October 31, 2026 ![The stone-tile entrance of the Terminal 2 service animal relief area at O'Hare, with its navy service animal sign and guide-dog pictogram beside the opening, seen from the left.](https://ordairportguide.com/images/ord/t2-door-2e-relief-area-v21.webp) Relief area entrance, Terminal 2 Tell the TSA officer about your service animal at the checkpoint. TSA says it will not separate you from your animal, and the two of you go through a walk-through metal detector, either together or with you leading the animal through separately on a leash. The airport lists [relief areas](https://ordairportguide.com/amenities/pet-relief/) in all four terminals and at the Multi-Modal Facility, before and after security. It publishes no rule for service animals on its trains, and it sends every service animal arrangement to your airline. ## At the checkpoint TSA’s service animal screening applies in standard and TSA PreCheck lanes. Our [security page](https://ordairportguide.com/security/) lists every checkpoint and its published hours. The steps: - **Tell the officer** about your service animal. - **Walk through the metal detector.** You can go together, or lead the animal through on a leash. - **Expect more screening if the detector alarms.** You and the animal both get additional screening. For the animal that can be a visual inspection, a pat-down or both. - **Let the officer do the touching.** TSA says the officer asks for your help before touching the animal or its belongings. Don’t touch the animal, except to hold the leash, until the officer finishes. Collars, leashes, backpacks, vests and other items are subject to screening, but items that keep the animal under control or show it’s on duty don’t have to come off. Medication and food for the animal go through X-ray or inspection. TSA asks you to separate large quantities and tell the officer they’re for your service animal. If something bothers you during screening, ask for a supervisor or a passenger support specialist at any point. ## Asking for help ahead of time TSA Cares lists “traveling with a service animal” as a reason to ask for a Passenger Support Specialist, a TSA officer with training in assisting people with disabilities or medical conditions. TSA asks for the request at least 72 hours before departure, through its TSA Cares form or by phone at (855) 787-2227, open weekdays 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET and weekends and holidays 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. The program doesn’t provide expedited screening, so you still go through the usual screening. At the airport you can ask any TSA officer or supervisor for a specialist on the spot. ## Relief areas, and why the side of security matters TSA says that if you leave the checkpoint to relieve your animal, you and the animal go through screening again. You may ask to move to the front of the line when you return. An area after security spares you that. The outdoor relief areas are gated and open at all times, and the indoor ones are open whenever you’re inside security. The airport says all animals must be accompanied and leashed by the owner. | Terminal | Before security | After security | | --- | --- | --- | | Terminal 1 | Lower Level Door 1A | Concourse C, past Gate C10 | | Terminal 2 | Lower Level Door 2E | None listed | | Terminal 3 | None listed | The Rotunda and Gate L26. The airport’s terminal map also marks one in Concourse L next to Gate L5. The main hall area is closed | | Terminal 5 | Lower Level Door 5B | Concourse M past Gate M8, and between Gates M25 and M26 | | Multi-Modal Facility | Door 6 | None listed | Terminal 5 also has areas in the sterile corridor before the customs area and in the international baggage claim. A Terminal 2 passenger who wants an area inside security can use the Rotunda, which the airport places between Terminals 2 and 3. Our [guide to walking between terminals](https://ordairportguide.com/guides/can-you-walk-between-ohare-terminals-after-security/) shows how the terminals connect after security. Our [pet relief guide](https://ordairportguide.com/guides/pet-relief-areas-at-ohare-every-terminal/) has the directions to each. ## Trains and buses The airport lists access features for its trains and buses and doesn’t mention service animals in them. | Ride | What the airport lists | | --- | --- | | Airport Transit System | Fully ADA compliant, including station platforms and train cars | | CTA Blue Line | An elevator from the O’Hare station to the platform, gap filler boards on request from CTA personnel, and “All CTA trains and buses are accessible” | | Pace buses | “Every Pace bus is accessible”, and Routes 250 and 330 stop at the Multi-Modal Facility | The airport lists 888-YOURCTA (968-7282) for the CTA and (847) 364-PACE (7223) for Pace. The airport’s list says nothing about service animals on CTA or Pace, so ask the agency before you ride. ## Arrangements with your airline The airport also says each airline must have a Complaint Resolution Official available in person or by phone during operating hours. That official can resolve a disability-related complaint for the airline, and you can ask for one or for a supervisor. [American Airlines](https://ordairportguide.com/airlines/american-airlines/) says fully-trained service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge if they meet its requirements. For any other airline, the arrangement itself goes through that airline. ## Sources - ORD Airport Guide: [Security checkpoints](https://ordairportguide.com/security/), [Accessibility services](https://ordairportguide.com/amenities/mobility/), [Pet relief areas](https://ordairportguide.com/amenities/pet-relief/), [Pet relief guide](https://ordairportguide.com/guides/pet-relief-areas-at-ohare-every-terminal/), [Airport Transit System](https://ordairportguide.com/transport/airport-transit-system/), [CTA Blue Line](https://ordairportguide.com/transport/cta-blue-line/), [Airlines at ORD](https://ordairportguide.com/airlines/), [American Airlines](https://ordairportguide.com/airlines/american-airlines/), [Walking between terminals](https://ordairportguide.com/guides/can-you-walk-between-ohare-terminals-after-security/) - Chicago Department of Aviation: Terminal Accessibility page, Accessibility page, Getting To and From page, Airport Transit System page and terminal map - Transportation Security Administration: Service animal screening page, TSA Cares Passenger Support page - American Airlines: Traveling with pets page