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

A cat with a “stegosaurus spine” design cut into its fur is seen next to a dog at a pet shop, in Tainan, Taiwan June 19, 2016. Lee Mei-chen, Taiwanese hairdresser turned pet groomer, shaves paw prints, lion faces and characters from Japanese brand Hello Kitty on to animal backs. The teddy bear design is one of the most complex in the furry repertoire. Photo by Tyrone Siu/Reuters)

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.

Musafir, a pet monkey, eats sweets on a pavement in Kolkata, India, June 9, 2016. (Photo by Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters)

Carlos Melendez prepares to feed his pet squirrel “Colita” in downtown San Salvador January 29, 2015. (Photo by Jose Cabezas/Reuters)

Children play with their pet Hamster at a street in Kochi on March 29, 2021. (Photo by Arun Sankar/AFP Photo)

A French bulldog wears a costume at the annual Pet Expo 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand on November 25, 2021. (Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters)