Light Assistance Harness 2.0

The LAH is custom fitted to the individual dog. We require specific measurements of the dog and the person’s hand height to create your custom harness. Please know that we cannot proceed with a harness order until we have all of the necessary measurements and details. If you plan to call for assistance or to order, it’s best to have your dog’s measurements handy!

There are four components to the Light Assistance Harness:

• Balance Handle
• Harness Body
• Breast Collar
• Belly Plate with adjustable girth straps

Each component comes in multiple sizes for a total custom fit. Your dog’s breed, weight, and measurements will determine which size is best for each component. Don’t worry, we are harness experts!
When you order, BLD’s custom order specialists will help you select the right size for each component to fit your individual dog’s proportions. Our four week Great Fit Guarantee* will ensure that everything fits just right. The breast collar and girth straps are adjustable to fine tune the fit. This allows for plenty of adjustment range should the dog’s weight or coat thickness change.

The info booklet includes written instructions and diagrams for measuring. If you call for assistance, it’s helpful if you have your dog’s measurements handy.

Choose Color:

• Black: Solid black latigo leather is our standard offering.  Because the leather is solid black all the way through it does not fade, hides the appearance of scuffs, and wears beautifully over time.
• London Tan ($20): Gorgeous vegetable-tanned bridle leather. Color and shades will vary; each part of the harness may be a different shade. Tan leather naturally appears rustic and may show scuffs and wear over time; color may darken with use over time as a patina develops. 

The Light Assistance Harness’ body is specially designed to align the handle at the center of the dog’s center of mass (or gravity) and position all the straps in the right place. This alignment allows the dog to perform more work with minimal effort, because their mass is creating a large portion of the counterbalance or pull force needed to provide momentum and stability. This means the muscles don’t have to work so hard, thus lowering the impact of working in a harness.
Highly specialized layers of padding serves three important functions: to protect the dog’s spine, distribute pressure lower down the dog’s sides, and to keep all hardware away from the dog’s body. It is both extremely sturdy and completely flexible to conform to the dog’s body. It is lined with smooth garment leather to allow the harness to glide with the dog’s movement.

Quick release latches connect the girth straps to the belly plate, making the harness easy to put on and take off. The harness comes standard with our easy-to-use metal side release latches on BOTH sides of the harness. Magnetic latches are available for those with limited strength and dexterity.

Latches can be place on both sides, or just one side of the harness:

One quick release latch allows the belly/girth to stay attached to the harness when taken off the dog. A square ring connects the girth strap to the off-side of the harness. To put the harness on the dog, it goes over his head and the belly plate connects with one simple latch.

Having quick release on BOTH sides mean the belly/girth can quickly unclip from the harness, and is removed from the harness. You only need one latch to put the harness on the dog and can ignore the opposite side and leave connected. Both latches are required if your harness has the Sternum/Martingale strap between the front legs. In this case, the Belly plate stays connected to the breast collar when taken off the dog. To put the harness on dog, it will first go over their head, then the belly/girth will pass between the dog’s front legs, and the straps connect to the left and right sides of the harness.

Harness Top: The top has a strap imprinted with “Service Dog” or “Assistance Dog.” Harness Sides: The sides have a diagonal stripe that serve several functions. First, it stabilizes the handle and keeps it flush to the saddle. The stripe can be made with reflective material for visibility, or Velcro to attach a small patch. Finally, it keeps the handle attachment from rubbing on your leg.

Breast Collar (chest strap): The Light Assistance Harness features a “V” shaped, streamlined, restriction-free, wave-shaped breast collar design that follows the contours of the dog’s shoulders and chest. It curves up over the shoulder joint for freedom-of-motion, and dips down to the front point of the breastbone so there is no pressure on the neck or throat.
The breast collar is adjustable to fine-tune the fit to the individual dog. It is crafted exclusively from full grain leather and features a silver reflective square on the left and right sides for visibility at night. Hand beveled for rounded edges, the smooth leather does not chafe, break the coat, or tangle fur.

Y-Harness Option: A sternal strap (or martingale) that goes between the dog’s front legs is an available option. Some dogs (standard poodles, for example) do best with a strap that connects the breast collar to the girth plate. This additional strap can help keep the harness in position; it prevents the breast collar from riding up, and the belly plate from sliding back. It is designed to be removable, and can be added at a later time if needed.

Harness Accessories:

The LAH is not compatible with capes or pouches; such items will throw the harness off balance or interfere with the function of this carefully designed, intentionally minimalist harness. Items other than these shown risk throwing the harness off balance or altering the pressure load on the dog. These small items will not compromise the harness function.

Personal Items:

The harness can accommodate a few personal items, such as an ID badge, tags, or a clip-on light. The ID badge is clipped to the handle O-ring and tucks behind the handle and reflective strap.

Leash Wrap \ Round Patch:
Our “Leash Wraps” are nice ways to add badging to the LAH. These round badges are two separate patches that Velcro back-to-back so they can be wrapped around the handle brace, or the strap on top of the harness. Sold Separately.

Velcro Patch:

1 x 3 inch (2.5 x 7.6 cm) Velcro backed patches to identify working service dogs. Sized to fit the Velcro side stripes on the LAH. Made from woven damask material, the wording and graphics on our patches are clear and legible to communicate your dog’s working status to the public. Sold Separately.

Short Grab Handle:

The LAH is created to be a simple  single handled harness. However, it can accommodate a small simple grab handle if required. For those who insist on having a second handle this little one is compatible when clipped to the O-rings on the harness body. 8” overall length, 5” of leather, makes about a 3″ handle. Sold Separately.

You are ready to order a harness…Now what? Here is a quick list of the steps to take to place a harness order:

1. First, measure your dog, and the person’s hand to ground.
2. Next, select the color, options for for the harness, buckle style, and any additional handles & optional accessories that you need. The Complete Information Booklet has more information on all of these options, and if you need further assistance, feel free to give us a call or email!
3. Proceed to the next section where you will need to fill in the Measurement details.
4. Finally, add any notes that you feel are important to your order.
5. Click Add to Cart.

*Final price depends on the options that are selected. We will confirm your order with you directly within 5 business days. Upon receiving your order, measurements and details will be reviewed. Rest assured we’ll reach out if we have any questions.

Turnaround Time: Harnesses take 6-8 weeks to complete and are built to your specifications.

Contact us if you need your harness faster (subject to availability with a rush fee).

You must contact us directly to request rush service.

Rush fees:

• 3 week RUSH: add 10%
• 2 week RUSH: add 15%

*Rush fees are added to the cost of the harness and harness options ONLY

Shipping price includes insurance and tracking via USPS Priority Mail (2-3 days in USA). Yes, we ship WORLDWIDE!

Leather care is easy! Don’t worry too much, and don’t be afraid to use your items — we promise leather is incredibly resilient, and regular weather won’t hurt it. If you think your item looks dirty, dry, or just need a little extra love, pouring a little leather conditioner on a cloth, and rubbing it in like lotion will usually do the trick. Baths and a jaunt in the river are just fine, but you might want to offer a little conditioner to your products afterwards. Saltwater can be harsh, so after a visit to the ocean, a good rinse in fresh water and proper conditioning will help preserve and protect your treasured leash or collar. See our Leather Care page for more specific information.

Luckily, the harnesses are easy to clean and maintain! Simply apply leather conditioner regularly to keep harness supple & weather resistant and clean the wool lining using a brush and vacuum.

Your harness can also be hand washed if needed. Here is a video on how to hand wash your harness:

Dogs must be physically mature and of appropriate size, fitness and soundness for the work you would like them to perform.

Not recommended for growing puppies. Due to the substantial nature of this harness, dogs should be 18 months or older. Additionally, the adjustment range is limited and may not be able to accommodate a pup’s rapid growth.

Dogs must be physically mature before training for harness work or performing high impact work, including pulling, until after growth plates are fused and joints and muscular system is mature. Dogs should be 18 months or older Consult a qualified veterinarian to assure your dog’s suitability harness work.

Safety considerations: this harness is NOT to be used as a safety restraint. It is not crash test rated or intended as a seat belt harness, or a tie-out. Always supervise your dog while using this equipment, do not leave a dog unattended with any harness. Dogs should be physically mature to perform any load-bearing or pulling work. Not designed as or recommended for heavy or full-time wheelchair pulling, as this is a challenging asymmetrical task for a dog to perform.

Use only with handles & accessories designed and approved by BLD for this equipment.

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The proper fit for each harness is assured by our Great Fit Guarantee. Our famous Lifetime Warranty, plus BLD’s excellent customer support, is standard with everything we make in our workshop.

Great Fit Guarantee

All new harnesses and custom service dog equipment come with a Great Fit Guarantee. Every effort is made to produce a harness that fits your dog perfectly. If we made an error, or a fit adjustment is needed, we will correct it at no cost to you within the first 4 weeks of delivery. This includes new parts and standard shipping. If inaccurate information or measurements were given when the order was placed, we will still adjust your harness or fabricate new parts at no charge to ensure the correct fit, but shipping costs will apply. (There may be additional charges for a change of size and/or features as well.) Sorry, no refunds or returns are accepted on all new harnesses and custom service dog equipment. We will do our best to be sure you have the right equipment, properly fitted, and we promise to be here if you have questions.

Lifetime Warranty

We proudly stand behind the quality of our products. Bold Lead Designs’ handcrafted leather & Brahma products are guaranteed against defects in materials and craftsmanship for life!

If your BLD harness ever breaks or is damaged from regular use due to materials or craftsmanship flaws, contact Bold Lead Designs for a replacement or repair at no charge. There is no time limit. Customer is responsible for shipping charges.

If you ever have issues or questions about your equipment, contact us at the workshop so we can help find a solution! Non-warranty repairs and service may be available for a nominal repair charge. Replacement parts may be available for purchase.

Warranty is limited to replacement or repair of covered product only, and does not cover chewing, neglect, misuse, normal wear, or customer alterations. Bold Lead Designs reserves the right to determine if a repair or replacement is covered by our warranty. Items we don't make in our workshop, like accessories and consumable items, are excluded. Note: any item sold as used or imperfect or marked with a star is excluded from any warranty or guarantee.

Limitation of Damages:

Guarantee/Warranty is limited to replacement or repair of product only. Bold Lead Designs, LLC, or its associates, cannot be responsible for any claims or liabilities beyond the scope of the guarantee. Chewing, neglect and misuse, customer alterations, and items marked with a star void all warranties. No other warranties, expressed or implied, are made. User assumes all responsibility for proper and safe use of products and care of animal. Customer pays for shipping for warranty claims. See our warranty page for complete details.