Fort Buchanan K-9 officer's journey strengthens installation security, military readiness

Official Statements

• U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan, November 13: “FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico — U.S. Army veteran and Fort Buchanan civilian police K-9 Officer Zayra Tapanes Álvarez highlighted how resilience, professional development and specialized law enforcement capabilities contribute to installation security and military readiness during a live interview on En La Mañana Nov. 12. Accompanied by her military working dog, Sitan, Tapanes shared her journey from Army Reserve Soldier to specialized K-9 officer assigned to Fort Buchanan's Directorate of Emergency Services.”

• U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan, November 13: “The interview showcased how the Army develops professionals whose experience, discipline and technical expertise continue supporting the military mission beyond their uniformed service. Tapanes, who has served 15 years in the Army Reserve, developed an early interest in canine training through her father, who regularly took her to dog-training competitions. "Becoming a military working dog handler had been a lifelong dream," Tapanes said. "I wanted to find a way to combine my passion for dogs with military service and law enforcement."

• U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan, November 13: “That passion eventually inspired her to pursue a career combining military service, law enforcement and working dogs. Achieving that goal required years of perseverance. Reflecting on her recent training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Tapanes acknowledged that completing the demanding Military Working Dog Handler Course at this stage of her career presented challenges.”

• U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan, November 13: “Despite those obstacles, she successfully completed the course and earned recognition on the Commandant's List for outstanding performance. Today, Tapanes applies that specialized training as part of Fort Buchanan's Directorate of Emergency Services, which protects the installation's personnel, facilities and resources, enabling warfighters to focus on training, mobilization and mission readiness.”

• U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan, November 13: "The most important thing is that we are a team, and we are here to provide security for Fort Buchanan, its community, the Soldiers and the veterans who visit us," Tapanes said. Her K-9 partner, Sitan, is trained in detection and patrol operations, providing additional capabilities to the installation's security mission. Tapanes emphasized that effective K-9 operations depend on more than technical proficiency. They require trust, discipline and continuous teamwork between handler and dog.”

• U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan, November 13: "We have a relationship built on affection, respect and trust," Tapanes said. She explained that their partnership extends throughout long duty shifts, during which she remains responsible for Sitan's health, welfare and operational readiness. Her story reflects the professionalism and dedication of Fort Buchanan's civilian workforce, whose contributions help maintain a safe and secure environment for the military community.”

• U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan, November 13: “By protecting the installation, the Directorate of Emergency Services directly supports Fort Buchanan's mission as the U.S. Army's home in the Caribbean and a platform for warfighter readiness. For additional information about the Fort Buchanan Police Department, call 787-707-3337.”