Abstract: A vest, preferably made of breathable polymeric material, is securable to an animal such as a dog. Weight devices, such as elongate weight devices extending in a chest-circumferential direction of the animal, may be attached to the vest. The weight devices preferably are detachable from the vest. In place of or in addition to the weight devices, buoyancy enhancing devices and/or visibility enhancing devices, may be attachable to the vest in place of the elongate weight devices.