Meet Claire, the 3-year-old bull terrier travels the world with Dutch photographer Alice van Kempen, 48, and poses for photographs in abandoned buildings. Van Kempen seeks out abandoned places to photograph in pursuit of her passion for urban exploring, bringing along her globetrotting pooch as her trusted companion. Here: Claire plaiyng the piano in an abandoned Cafe in Luxembourg. (Photo by Alice van Kempen/Caters News)

Mushers and theirs dog teams during the Sedivackuv long race, Orlicke Mountains, Czech Republic on January 28, 2016. The 240 Km (150 miles) race is a multi-day event, but was canceled today, two days early, because of poor snow conditions in the region. (Photo by David Tanecek/CTK via ZUMA Press)

Flash, a golden retriever, plays with a toy following a press event for the American Kennel Club to reveal the nations most popular dog breeds in the Manhattan borough of New York, February 22, 2016. (Photo by Carlo Allegri/Reuters)

Huellas, a paraplegic dog in a wheelchair, walks at Pescadores beach in Chorrillos, Lima, September 7, 2015. Sara Moran has an animal shelter called Milagros Perrunos where she cares for stray dogs and shelters dogs injured from traffic accidents or domestic abuses. With donations and raffle, Moran purchases wheelchairs, food and medical treatment for the dogs at her shelter. (Photo by Mariana Bazo/Reuters)

Hungarian Puli sheep dog, Fee, jumps over a hurdle during a preview for a pedigree dog show in Dortmund on Thursday April 24, 2008. (Photo by Frank Augstein/AP Photo)

A Yorkshire Terrier has it's hair done on a grooming table on Day one of Crufts at the Birmingham NEC Arena on March 8, 2012 in Birmingham, England. During the annual four-day competition nearly 22,000 dogs and their owners will compete in a variety of categories, ultimately seeking the coveted prize of “Best In Show”. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/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.