Meet Hunter:

Hi there! My name is Hunter Burson. I am the lead trainer and founder of OC Canine Academy. To start from the roots of my training experience I’d need to go back to my childhood “daycare” where I spent most of my time at my mothers work.

My mother, Sgt. First Class Melissa Burson was enlisted in the United States Army for 20 years as Kennel Master in the K-9 division. She served her entire 20 years in the military working from a recruit in the K-9 unit, all the way up to running the entire kennel. From bomb detection, drug detection, human detection, and bite work she was leading her battalion from the ground up in the training and development of hundreds of military working dogs. She served tours in Iraq and Bosnia as a Bomb Dog Handler under the obvious pressure and remained diligent and prepared to always do her job.

I’ve always looked up to her and have been inspired by what she can do with a dog. Her passion, bravery, determination, and love for the job never ceases to amaze me. She worked and trained even while pregnant with me so I guess it’s been instilled in my DNA. I have very fond memories watching her work and playing on the agility courses at the kennels as a kid, and being excited to tell people what my mom does for work at bring your parents to work day. She truly is my inspiration and bad-ass in this realm of work. As I got older and she eventually retired we continued to work with dogs because she never lost her passion. She got her degree worked as a Veterinary Technician after the military and I was always there with her as she brought me along and taught me everything she knows. 

When we got our first family dog my mom immediately wanted to show me how to build a bond that would last forever with our dog. We did competitive obedience, went to seminars, and she took me to dog school to teach me, other young people, and adults alike in our area how to have success in their pets lives. She guided me into winning multiple State Championship Titles for Agility, Rally-Obedience, Showmanship, and Basic Obedience, and now I'm here to guide you to build a long lasting relationship with your dog, just as my mom did with me.