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.

It's often said that pets and their owners can start to look alike, but these adorable photographs take the old mantra to a new extreme. They are the work of Svetlana Valyiskaya (27), from St Petersburg, who snaps pets in everyday poses in her spare time from her job as a commercial photographer. The vibrant costumes and scenes, which Svetlana designs herself, have made the photos a hit in her native Russia – and it's not hard to see why. She said: “I really love animals, they are loyal, faithful and true and always interesting to work with – plus they never criticise the photographs afterwards”. (Photo by Svetlana Valyiskaya/Mercury)

The shoemaker in Turkey, the potato seller in Vietnam, and the weaver in Bolivia are among the billions of low-income entrepreneurs who make the world go round. They are also the type of people who can benefit significantly from microfinance. Every year, the Consultative Group To Assist The Poor (or CGAP) hosts a photo contest asking entrants to submit photos based around the idea of microfinance.The purpose of the contest is to give amateur and professional photographers a chance to show the different ways that poor households manage their financial lives and make their lives better through financial inclusion. Photo: South Asia Regional Winner – “Bricks Worker”, Bangladesh. A private enterprise worker is working at a brick field. These small businesses are creating new job opportunities for many poor people. (Photo by Moksumul Haque)

Meet the woman who has made playing with food her job and creates incredible pieces of edible art. From city landmarks to colorful animals, Anna Keville Joyce lets her imagination run wild as she creates a series of intricate art works made entirely from food. Using anything from vegetables to sausages, Annas pieces are so detailed that at first glance it is difficult to tell what they are made from. Here: a nesting bird. (Photo by Anna Keville Joyce/Caters News)

In this March 30, 2020, photo, Zandile Mlotshwa, 21, cashier at Spar supermarket in the Norwood suburb of Johannesburg, counts her cash at the end of her shift. From South Africa to Italy to the U.S., grocery workers – many in low-wage jobs – are manning the front lines amid worldwide lockdowns, their work deemed essential to keep food and critical goods flowing. (Photo by Jerome Delay/AP Photo)

Turkish guard police take special training, lasting 316 hours, for carrying out their job at best at Police Training Center Directorate of Guarding Training Academy of Turkiye on June 1, 2022. in Ankara, Turkiye. (Photo by Evrim Aydin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

A cat and a dog stray along a side street in Las Pinas city, Metro Manila, Philippines, 02 July 2023. A significant number of dogs and cats left wandering in streets could lead to potential health hazard due to rabies. Amidst Covid-19 pandemic, displaced pet owners who lost their job because their employers closed or lost business were forced to leave their animals in the city as they migrate elsewhere. (Photo by Francis R. Malasig/EPA)