A reveller takes part with her dogs in the annual halloween dog parade at Manhattan’s Tompkins Square Park in New York, U.S. October 22, 2016. (Photo by Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

In this Friday, March 13, 2015, Mitch Seavey's lead dogs with frosty whiskers at the Huslia, Alaska, checkpoint for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (Photo by Loren Holmes/AP Photo/Alaska Dispatch News)

Disabled dogs outfitted with wheelchairs walk at an animal rescue center on July 12, 2008 in Chengdu of Sichuan Province, China. The center has adopted over 100 stray dogs and cats from quake-struck areas. Those who were hurt or disabled are outfitted with a cart to help support they're body and make them mobile. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

Throughout the course of the long war in Afghanistan, Coalition troops have relied on thousands of military working dogs to help keep them safe, and make their jobs easier. The dogs are trained to detect explosives, to find illegal drugs, to search for missing comrades, or target enemy combatants. Not only are they active on the front lines, but behind the lines they serve as therapy dogs, service dogs, and loyal companions. They also share the same risks as the ground troops, suffering injuries and sometimes death on the battlefields. Gathered here are images of these dogs and their handlers in Afghanistan and back home, from over the past several years, part of the ongoing series here on Afghanistan.

A dog dives during a pet dog swimming contest at the Taoyuan Pet Center on July 31, 2005 in Chengdu of Sichuan Province, southwest China. Over 30 dogs have attended the match. According to state media, with the country's pet population growing fast, analysts predict that the market potential for the “pet economy” in China could reach a minimum of RMB 15 billion (about USD 1.85 billion). (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

“Dog meat refers to edible parts and the flesh derived from (predominantly domestic) dogs. Human consumption of dog meat has been recorded in many parts of the world, including ancient China, ancient Mexico, and ancient Rome. According to contemporary reports, dog meat is consumed in a variety of countries such as Switzerland, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Korea. In addition, dog meat has also been used as survival food in times of war and/or other hardships”. – Wikipedia

Photo: A chef prepares dog meat at a restaurant on July 4, 2005 in Gwacheon, South Korea. Dog meat is a traditional dish in Korea dating back to the Samkuk period (period of the three kingdoms BC 57 – AD 668). Although many recipes existed historically for dog meat, now chefs only make soups, or dishes using boiled or roasted meat. Koreans traditionally eat dog meat on the hottest day of the summer, for it's reputed benefits of virility, invigoration and health. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)