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What if... Dog Braces
Cancer started Ben Blecha's journey to being an entrepreneur whose Benkelman, NE company,
Hero Braces, makes leg braces for injured dogs.
This story is part of "What If..." a program exploring innovation and creativity in Nebraska
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Everything You Need to Know About Leg Braces for Tripawds
When a Tripawd shows signs of slowing down, many people immediately start shopping for a leg
brace. But on today’s Tripawd Talk Radio podcast with Ben Blecha of Hero Braces, we explain why
it’s important to follow the right steps before buying a leg brace for Tripawds (and potentially
injuring your pet!). Tune in to learn everything you need to know about choosing braces for
Tripawds and other furry companions...
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ACL Tear? Surgery Alternative: Interview with Ben Blecha from Hero Brace
Welcome back to another episode! I'm so excited that you're here with me! Today I'm joined by
Ben Blecha, the founder of Hero. Hero designs custom knee, ankle, and wrist braces. And these
custom braces can serve as a great alternative to invasive...
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Hero Braces: helping dogs with leg injuries
WASHINGTON (ABC7) — Ben Blecha is on a mission to help dogs in their most delicate state. After
caring for a pup who had both legs amputated, he set out on a journey to help other four-legged
friends around the world. Learn more at goherogo.com.
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Ben Blecha: Founder of Hero Braces | What If - Innovator Insights
Learn about Ben Blecha, entrepreneur and founder of Hero Braces in Benkelman, Nebraska. Hero is
one of few companies in the world making leg braces for dogs. Losing part of a leg to cancer as
a teen led to his interest in building better prosthetics...
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Canine Knee Injury? Brace Yourself
Ten years have passed since WDJ explored “conservative management” – the nonsurgical treatment – of knee ligament injuries (see “Saying ‘No’ to Surgery,” February 2010). Since then, although surgery remains by far the most widely used knee injury treatment, consumer demand for complementary therapies, including the use of custom-designed knee braces, has grown.
Nearly all veterinarians have experience with canine ligament injuries because they are so common...
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Hero Braces Honored as ‘Small Pet Healthcare Product of the Year’ Winner at Pet Independent Innovation Awards
The Independent Innovation Awards announced today Hero Braces has been awarded ‘Small Pet
Healthcare Product of the Year’ at the 2020 Pet Independent Innovation Awards. Run by the
Independent Innovation Awards organization, a leading industry recognition platform honoring the
most innovative companies and products in the world, the Pet Independent Innovation Awards
recognizes the top companies, services, and products in the industry today.
Located in Benkelman, Nebraska Hero Braces is devoted to helping canines lead an active
lifestyle by specializing in custom braces for stifle, hock and carpal injuries...
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Benkelman company gearing up to make animal orthotics
BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- Every year, 200,000 dogs in the United States blow out their ACL's.
Before or after, or instead of surgery, a brace will help alleviate pain and stabilize the knee
as the dog's anterior cruciate ligament injury heals.
To address the need for custom-fit orthotics for injured dogs, a Benkelman, Nebraska, business
owner and prosthetist has expanded the company that he developed to fit and fabricate custom
prostheses and orthotics for humans to now offer braces for dogs...
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Merger to capitalize on shared skills, technologies for animal braces, human orthotics
Ben Blecha (pronounced "Blakey") of Benkelman, Nebraska, founder and owner of "Hero," and his
wife, Renee, have purchased Burns International Podiatric Laboratory in McCook. Ben sees
similarities between the company he has developed since 2005 to meet the needs of dogs suffering
from ligament injuries and ailments and the Burns lab that, for 46 years, has manufactured foot
orthotic devices for humans. To create a new website for Burns and Hero, Deanna Walz of Eleanor
Creative in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Ben worked with Kaiser, a yellow Labrador retriever owned by
Chad Stewart of Indianola...
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Benkelman's hometown hero has big dream for small towns
The community of Benkelman builds a vision for the future, and their "hero" could be a hometown
guy with a big dream.
Ben Blecha shows off his "corporate headquarters."
"The kids named it that," he says with a laugh...
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Small-town entrepreneur leaves a big footprint in rural Nebraska
It is possible to be successful in a small town. Ben Blecha, founder of Ace Ortho Solutions in
Benkelman, is living proof that dreaming big doesn't mean abandoning your roots. The
entrepreneur is setting a positive example in his hometown one leap at a time...
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5 Nebraska entrepreneurs among 2013 Pipeline fellows
The next class of Pipeline fellows includes entrepreneurs who have made advances in animal
rehabilitation, materials selection for engineers, vitamin and supplement sampling, secure
online trading and interactive sports injury education.
And now they're looking for help to further advance their businesses.
Pipeline, a program aimed at fostering innovation among entrepreneurs and investors, lasts all
year and offers its participants a chance to network and grow their startup companies
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Pipeline reveals 2013 entrepreneurial fellowship participants
Four of 13 entrepreneurs slated for Pipeline Inc.’s next fellowship hail from the Kansas City
metropolitan area.
The entrepreneur grooming organization announced who it had picked for its 2013 class Thursday
night during the Pipeline Innovator of the Year reception at The Midland Theatre in Kansas City.
Pipeline, which previously stayed within Kansas’ borders, opened the yearlong program to
Missouri and Nebraska companies last year.
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On Huskervision: Entrepreneur Ben Blecha
First seen in Memorial Stadium on Huskervision, Sept. 26, 2015. University of Nebraska-Lincoln
alumnus Ben Blecha began his career in prosthetics and turned that into a business creating
braces for animals. The business is based in Benkelman, Nebraska.
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Making Leg Braces for Dogs in Benkelman
A man from Benkelman who lost part of his leg to cancer, is using his experience to make leg
braces for dogs.
"The company's name is Hero," business owner Ben Blecha said. "We make dog braces.
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As a veterinary rehab professional...
As a veterinary rehab professional, I have found Onlinepethealth to be a great resource for
practical continuing education. I have enjoyed participating as a speaker for Dr. Kelly’s online
classes. Her attendees have been attentive, asking smart and mindful questions.
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Entrepreneur wins fellowship
BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- The founder and president of Ace Ortho Solutions of Benkelman, Nebraska,
has been selected to participate in a nationally-recognized year-long program designed to
accelerate the growth of high-performance entrepreneurs.
Ben Blecha of Benkelman, whose company develops and manufactures innovative braces for dogs with
ligament injuries, joins the 2013 Class of "The Pipeline" Entrepreneurial Fellows.
Pipeline announced the 2013 Class of Entrepreneurial Fellows at its "Innovator of the Year"
awards event Jan. 24 at The Midland in Kansas City...
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Hero is Our Hero
The fine folks at Hero Dog Braces are helping the Tripawds Foundation reach more pet parents and
veterinarians caring for dogs who have orthopedic issues with our message about the many
resources available for amputee pets and their people.
When we met Ben, the founder of goherogo.com at the 2017 WVC conference he and Tripawds
spokesdawg Wyatt Ray hit it off immediately because they have something in common.
Ben is passionate about helping Tripawds and all dogs with orthopedic issues be more pawesome.
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Nebraska company makes leg braces for dogs
A dog with a knee injury avoids surgery by wearing a leg brace developed by inventor and
entrepreneur Ben Blecha. Blecha and his staff make the braces in a cavernous studio space and
laboratory located in the small southwest Nebraska town of Benkelman, the same town where Blecha
used to ride bikes as child. Blecha chose to leave Denver, Colo., and move to a town of fewer
than 1,000 people because he wants to raise his children there.
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Custom-Fit Braces For Injured Dogs
Ben Blecha helps injured dogs get around, without the cost and complications of surgery. If surgery does take place, his HERO braces can aid in recovery. The braces are custom made for every dog.
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Karen and Cali: Let’s Make a Deal…
Cali was born on August 24, 2007 in Wheat Ridge Colorado. Her parents were Harry the handsome Queensland Heeler and Suzie the gorgeous Australian Shepard. I first met Cali eight weeks after her birth.
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CANINE NICHE
Ben Blecha, CPO, didn't realize how much growing up on a farm in rural Nebraska would
shape his future—personally and professionally.
An illness, a culture of community involvement, the distance to services, and raising animals all played a role.
When in high school, Blecha was diagnosed with osteosarcoma...
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An illness, a culture of community involvement, the distance to services, and raising animals all played a role.
When in high school, Blecha was diagnosed with osteosarcoma...