Fulfilling Needs for Pendleton Dogs and Their People

Blue Mountain Canine

When Pendleton needed dog-training services, Blue Mountain Canine answered the call.

Small Business, Small Town, Big Impact

A trainer encourages a small dog to work for a treat.

Did you know that a portion of Oregon Lottery dollars goes right back into building stronger communities? It’s true—lottery funds, distributed through Business Oregon, help spark economic growth, create jobs, and make our towns and cities more vibrant places to live.  Working through Livelihood NW, Business Oregon helps support small businesses and local entrepreneurs to enhance livability across the state. The dollars generated from your lottery play are making a real difference!

One fantastic example of this impact is Blue Mountain Canine in Pendleton, a local business dedicated to improving the lives of dogs and their owners. With lottery-backed support and mentoring from Livelihood NW, Blue Mountain Canine has grown into a trusted resource, offering private dog training, group classes, and even behavior consultations. Their mission? To strengthen the bond between people and their pets while fostering a happier, healthier community.

Kristina's training session with her dog Cody in a Pendleton park
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Working with Frances and Mycal has been such a gift. They make training safe, low-stress, and full of joy — and we’ve learned skills from them that will last a lifetime.
— Christina G., Blue Mountain Canine Client
Frances and Mycal work remotely from their local library.

Meet the Trainers

Frances and Mycal Quaempts have been helping dogs and their families thrive since 2012, using only positive, science-based methods—no shock collars or punishment here! Frances is an Accredited Dog Trainer (IAABC-ADT), certified Family Dog Mediator, and Therapy Dog Team Evaluator, with a strong background in public speaking, writing, and community outreach. Mycal, a Certified Drink With Your Dog® Instructor, blends her experience in family case management and event planning with a passion for creating fun, social experiences for dogs and people. She’s also a Pendleton Public Library board member and part-time DJ. Together, they bring warmth, expertise, and creativity to every training session.

Small Town Advantages

Why Pendleton?

Maybe the better question is, “Why not Pendleton?”

Coming Home

When Mycal and Frances were considering locations for their business, Pendleton — Mycal’s hometown — turned out to be the perfect candidate. Known as a dog-friendly town with parks and trails that welcome four-legged friends, Pendleton had an unmet need—there were no professional dog training services available locally. They saw an opportunity to fill that gap by helping dogs and their owners thrive.

But what truly sealed the decision was the incredibly supportive community, both at large and within the local business network—and it didn’t hurt that Pendleton has a rich history and exciting annual events like its world-famous Round Up. Pendleton embraces new ventures, and Blue Mountain Canine is proud to be part of a town that values connection, collaboration, and canine companionship.

Tracy P. from Livelihood NW
Livelihood NW has helped Blue Mountain Canine fund necessary projects like a full website redesign, industry certifications, and purchasing equipment to grow their business. We love supporting business owners like Frances and Mycal who in turn go on to support their communities.
— Tracy Puhl, Program Manager, Livelihood NW Livelihood NW

Tracy Puhl’s photo by Tais Fedorov

Working Toward Even Bigger Dreams

What’s Next for Blue Mountain Canine?

Plans for Pendleton and Beyond

With Livelihood NW’s Help, Growth is Inevitable — and Embraced

When revealing what’s next for Blue Mountain Canine, Frances’ eyes light up with enthusiasm. Thanks to their work with Livelihood NW, the vision is clear.

Locally, Frances and Mycal hope to acquire a training facility of their own. Currently they hold training sessions in one of Pendleton’s 22 public parks or a borrowed indoor space. Demand for their services makes finding their own place a growing priority. “This town has spoken,” as Frances says, “and they want dog training.”

But there’s more! In addition to serving their own community of dog lovers, Blue Mountain Canine also has plans to develop an online presence to support clients across Oregon and beyond. Their approach to dog training is in high demand; offering online classes will allow them to serve even more happy clients.

A woman seated at a bench works on two drones

More Pendleton Investment

Businesses of all types and sizes benefit from lottery-backed funding. Learn how Oregon UAS Accelerator is bringing high-tech jobs to Eastern Oregon.

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LOTTERY DOLLARS DOING GOOD THINGS IN YOUR COMMUNITY