Patent ID: 8360009

Claim:
A method of supporting and restraining movement of an animal, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a harness comprising: (i) a sling having first and second ends; (ii) a plurality of support straps secured to said sling and extending beyond a length of said sling, and said support straps terminating in a pair of loops, one loop attached to said first end of said sling, and another loop attached to said second end of said sling; (iii) a handle secured to one of said loops; and (iv) a leash strap having a first end secured to said handle and a second end; (b) securing the harness to the animal by routing the sling around an abdomen of the animal, locating the handle above a back of the animal, securing both of said loops to said handle, and extending the leash strap to connect the second end thereof to a collar of the animal worn around the neck of the animal; (c) generating an upward lifting motion by lifting on the handle to reduce a percentage of weight carried by the animal's rear legs; and (d) holding the leash strap in a taut condition so to provide a selective restraint against forward motion of the animal as it moves in a forward direction.