Jet the Rescue Dog

Jet the rescue dog was awarded the Dickin Medal on January 12, 1945 for saving the lives of over 50 people trapped in bombed buildings.

Here are stories of other dogs who have proved to be man's best friend through search and rescue, sniffing for bombs or by the important task of raising morale.

But it hasn't just been dogs who have gone to war. A bear was trained to carry bombs, a cat caught rats aboard a stricken ship and countless birds carried important messages home to waiting officials.

Many of these 33 stories have happy endings, the animals returning home to well-earned rest; but, be warned, some animals lost their lives through their dedication to humankind.