Elspeth McLean is a talented painter from Australia’s western suburbia. She is perhaps the most vibrant painter I have even seen, hence her degree and passion in Art Therapy. She has a strong belief that art has the power to bring immense joy into people lives and her vibrant creations accurately reflect that.

British prime minister Winston Churchill (1874–1965) stops to pet a cat at Liverpool Street Station, 24th May 1952. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

A Pomeranian dog sits in a rolling pet carrier in Hong Kong, China on September 4, 2019. (Photo by Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)

Double amputee dog Cora Rose balances on her hind legs to watch Zach Skow repairing her cart on a street in Washington, U.S., May 15, 2019. Cora Rose serves in a prisoner therapy program founded by Skow called “Pawsitive Change” in California. (Photo by Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

A dog groomer prepares a model dog during the 2nd Annual Shenzhen International Pet Exhibition, July 14, 2016, in Shenzhen, China. The pet exhibition runs from July 14 - 17, 2016 at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center. (Photo by VCG/Getty Images)

A lizard wears clothing and a headset at Pet Expo Thailand on May 07, 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand. Dogs take part in a skateboarding competition at Pet Expo Thailand, a four day exhibition held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. Dogs were judged on form and agility and separated into novice and experienced categories. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/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.

Emily Ratajkowski is seen walking her pet Colombo on June 03, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Say Cheese!/GC Images)