Hey, I know I'm really late to the party here, but I think a Scroll of Mage Armor would be a great addition to the Equipment section. If you can get your arcane caster buddy to cast it on you, you'll get +4 AC even when in animal form, since Mage Armor can be cast on anything, even animals. And since it isn't equipment, it doesn't merge with your form and stop working when you shift.