An animal restraint is disclosed for mitigating collar trauma to critical neck structures of an animal. The animal restraint includes a track housing defining an exterior surface and an interior surface. A plurality of loops are positioned on the exterior surface of the track housing. A strap is threaded through the loops, and is adapted to slide around the exterior surface of the track housing from a pulling force on the animal restraint. The strap includes a leash attachment ring adapted for attachment to a leash. Impact resistant padding is attached to the interior surface of the track housing, and the sliding movement of the strap maintains a proper positioning of the impact resistant padding over corresponding anatomical neck structures of an animal.