Abstract: A system measures tracking ability of a service animal using a location sensor to generate location data and a measurement unit measuring auxiliary data related to movement of the animal while tracking a known path. A computer calculates a rank metric representing a measure of similarity between animal location data from the location sensor and stored target data defining the known path. The computer also calculates an animal signature representative of a relationship between the auxiliary data and the rank metric for different instantaneous values of the rank metric. When tracking an unknown path, a confidence metric is calculated based on the animal signature and the auxiliary data collected while tracking such that the confidence metric represents a quantitative measure of the ability of the service animal to track the unknown path.

Abstract: An animal transport crate apparatus has an outer crate including rigid panels forming an outer boundary of an animal enclosure and an inner lining defining a flexible envelope arranged to receive the animal therein within the outer crate. Vehicle connecting tethers are arranged to extend through the outer crate for connection between the inner lining and frame anchors of the vehicle. The tethered inner lining allows the animal to be captured by the flexible envelope to minimize injury to the animal, and other occupants of the vehicle, regardless of the condition of the outer crate following a crash of the vehicle. The surrounding outer crate of rigid panels maintains ease of portability of the crate.

Abstract: A buckle assembly includes a female buckle body that interchangeably mates with either one of a male buckle body or a retainer ring defining a leading bar. The female buckle body has a receptacle to receive an extension portion of the male buckle body slidable therein. A biased lever body is pivotally supported on the female buckle body for cooperating with a catch on the male buckle body between a blocking position retaining the extension portion in the receptacle and a released position allowing removal of the extension portion. The female buckle body also has a slot aligned with the receptacle to receive the leading bar of the retainer ring therein so that the lever body can also selectively retain the retainer ring mated with the female buckle body.

Abstract: A buckle assembly includes a female buckle body that interchangeably mates with either one of a male buckle body or a retainer ring defining a leading bar. The female buckle body has a receptacle to receive an extension portion of the male buckle body slidable therein. A biased lever body is pivotally supported on the female buckle body for cooperating with a catch on the male buckle body between a blocking position retaining the extension portion in the receptacle and a released position allowing removal of the extension portion. The female buckle body also has a slot aligned with the receptacle to receive the leading bar of the retainer ring therein so that the lever body can also selectively retain the retainer ring mated with the female buckle body.

Abstract: An animal restraint device restrains an animal relative to a vehicle seat having two lower anchors laterally spaced apart at a rear bottom of the seat and an auxiliary anchor separate from the lower anchors. The harness includes a chest panel and a plurality of straps for securement about the torso of the animal. Two lower tethers are securable between the harness and the two lower anchors of the vehicle. An upper retractable tether can be secured between a separate upper connector on the harness and the vehicle. In one embodiment, a retractable tether assembly is coupled between the harness and an anchor on the vehicle typically used for anchoring the upper tether of a vehicle child restraint seat. In another embodiment, an adapter allows the seatbelt of the vehicle to be used as the upper retractable tether.

Abstract: An animal restraint device restrains an animal relative to a vehicle seat having two lower anchors laterally spaced apart at a rear bottom of the seat and an auxiliary anchor separate from the lower anchors. The harness includes a chest panel and a plurality of straps for securement about the torso of the animal. Two lower tethers are securable between the harness and the two lower anchors of the vehicle. An upper retractable tether can be secured between a separate upper connector on the harness and the vehicle. In one embodiment, a retractable tether assembly is coupled between the harness and an anchor on the vehicle typically used for anchoring the upper tether of a vehicle child restraint seat. In another embodiment, an adapter allows the seatbelt of the vehicle to be used as the upper retractable tether.