Addison Park District still reviewing dog complaint
Addison Park District officials said they will continue to review a complaint from a resident who says allowing a service dog in the Club Fitness pool poses a health risk.
Jerry Maziar, 65, argued at a park district committee meeting Monday that the dog causes a sanitation risk, citing research he found on the Center for Disease Control's website.
“Perhaps my threshold of personal hygiene may be a little higher than average, but I found it objectionable,” the Addison man said.
The park district began allowing a service dog in the pool in recent months when a disabled Marine veteran informed them he needed the animal to help him enter and exit the water, walk in the pool, and tow him while swimming. The veteran asked officials not to name him and to keep the nature of his disability private.
Maziar said he served four years in the Marines and is “keenly aware and deeply sympathetic with what this fellow Marine is going through.”
“It is strictly, for me, a potential health risk in a public environment,” Maziar said.
But park officials on Monday defended their decision, citing research they conducted on the Americans with Disabilities Act. The district received written explanations from the Illinois Department of Health and New York-based America's VetDogs, which trained the canine, confirming the park district should allow the dog in the pool.
Greg Vitale, manager of fitness operations, spoke with officials from the disability rights bureau at the Illinois attorney general's office.
“There isn't really much more we can do,” Vitale said. “This is something we're lawfully required to do. We're happy to assist any person with disabilities. It's our responsibility.”
The veteran's use of the pool is “infrequent,” Executive Director Mark McKinnon said.
Before the dog arrived with the veteran for the first time, the district posted fliers in the facility at 1776 W. Centennial Place explaining why the dog would be in the water.
Officials are set to meet with Maziar and will continue to discuss his complaint at a Jan. 23 board meeting. Meanwhile, they said they will continue to allow the dog in the water while they review procedures established by the ADA and state and county health departments.
Otto Pieroni, a member of Addison VFW Post 7446, spoke on behalf of the post and in support of the park district. A handful of other post members also attended.
“They wanted us to let you know how much we do appreciate what you do not only for our community, but for our veterans,” Pieroni told park officials.