A student is assisted by teachers after she fell ill while marching in a parade celebrating Saint Peter's day in Lima, Peru, Monday, June 29, 2015. During the feast day of the Catholic saint, who is the patron saint of fishermen, coastal communities pay homage to St. Peter, whose statue is paraded to the sea and petitions are made to keep their vessels and all who work on them safe. (Photo by Rodrigo Abd/AP Photo)

Models pose backstage at the Celia Kritharioti Spring/Summer 2012 fashion show at One Mayfair on March 20, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images For Celia Kritharioti)

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.

Current England long jump champion and London 2012 hopeful J. J. Jegede attempts an exhibition jump over three Limited edition 2012 MINIs on September 28, 2011 in London, England. This world first is taking place to celebrate the launch of the MINI London 2012 Edition models, of which only 2,012 will be produced. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images for BMW)

Emily Hasler, an English Heritage employee at Charles Darwin's home, Down House, cleans a rabbit bone in his old study on April 2, 2011 in Downe, England. Staff at the house are cleaning and preparing the property ahead of their peak visitor season. The house contains the study where Darwin wrote “On the Origin of Species”, as well as family rooms and an extensive garden that inspired the renowned scientist. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

Valeria Ruiz, 10, from Colombia, does a cartwheel while visiting the U.S. Capitol, as Republican members of the House continue to work towards electing a new Speaker of the House in Washington, U.S., October 9, 2023. (Photo by Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

A tourist jumps inside an upside-down house at Fengjing Ancient Town, Jinshan District, south of Shanghai, May 1, 2014. The upside-down house was built as a tourist attraction using everyday household items and furniture. (Photo by Aly Song/Reuters)

Workers pull apart a house in Khandyga, Russia, on February 2, 2018. The shifting ground caused by the uneven thawing of permafrost each summer causes buildings like this Soviet-era apartment house to sag and collapse. (Photo by Amos Chapple/Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)