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 t… 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.” 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