Sheltering from the sun, 2012 (c)

Digital photograph, Afghanistan (2001- ), 2012 (c).

A High Assurance Search Dog (HAS-D) takes shelter from the fierce sun. In high heat, a dog can be effective for as little as an hour, and their abilities will degrade as the day wears on. It is important to maximise their effectiveness, and great pains are taken to shelter them when possible. Looking after the dog saves human lives. The dog is also wearing a Kevlar vest, as dogs have now become targets of Taleban shooting.