15 Years in the Making: Fort Buchanan Army Civilian Earns Top Honors at Military Working Dog School
FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico — Army civilian police officer Zayra Tapanes Alvarez fulfilled a 15-year dream when she recently graduated with honors from the Military Working Dog Handler Course at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, bringing specialized skills back to Fort Buchanan to strengthen the installation's law enforcement and force protection mission.
The Guaynabo native earned a 98% academic average during the rigorous 10-week course, qualifying for the Commandant's List, a distinction recognizing exceptional academic achievement. She was also the only civilian employee in her Army class and the only student from an organization based in Puerto Rico.
But behind the recognition lies a story of determination that began long before she wore a police uniform.
At just 12 years old, Tapanes Alvarez developed a passion for training dogs, eventually guiding her Labrador retriever, Duke, to become an obedience champion in Puerto Rico.
“I always loved dogs,” Tapanes Alvarez said. “When I became passionate about law enforcement and the military, I wanted to see how I could combine the two.”
That opportunity, however, remained out of reach for years.
A staff sergeant with 15 years of service in the U.S. Army Reserve, she pursued a military career while continued searching for a way to combine her two passions.
In March 2024, she joined Fort Buchanan's Directorate of Emergency Services as a security guard and became a police officer in January 2025. Rather than waiting for an opportunity, she volunteered to assist the installation's K-9 program, caring for dogs, maintaining kennels and supporting training exercises.
Her persistence eventually opened the door to the specialized training she had long pursued.
“It is a dream come true. 15 years in the making,” she said.
Today, Tapanes Alvarez works alongside Yvonne, a 2-year-old military working dog, representing another step forward in Fort Buchanan's continued investment in specialized law enforcement capabilities.
She also hopes to share her passion with the military community through school visits, educational demonstrations and outreach activities that highlight the relationship between handlers and their dogs.
“These dogs are willing to lay their lives down for us, for the community,” she said.
For Tapanes Alvarez, the achievement represents more than a professional milestone. It is the realization of a childhood dream and an opportunity to give back to the community she proudly serves.
Her journey reflects the dedication of Army civilians whose specialized skills help protect service members, families and critical infrastructure, strengthening Fort Buchanan's mission as the Army's home in the Caribbean.
Fort Buchanan supports approximately 15,000 military personnel, including active-duty Soldiers, Army Reserve, Puerto Rico National Guard, Marine Corps Reserve and Navy Reserve members. The installation’s mission is to enable readiness and facilitate the deployment of forces anytime, anywhere.
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