Treating patients out of a van isn’t what Dr. Albert Burchman expected after more than 30 years at Armory Dog and Cat Hospital - but he says he wasn’t about to turn away animals in need.

“I think the first few days, everybody was in shock,” Burchman said. “I don’t think there was much anyone was thinking about - anything but the pets.”

March 27 is still fresh in his memory. That day, a two-alarm fire tore through the building, killing three birds - one of which belonged to Burchman - and destroying thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment.

“Radiograph, everything we bought new went down. Even our regular X-ray machine was just replaced - and that’s lost,” he said.

Despite the devastation, it was the community that kept Burchman and his team going.

“I’ll supply the labor, you supply the supplies, and we will get you up and running,” Burchman recalled someone telling him. “Just absolutely the best people.”

Nearly two months after the fire, while working out of the van Monday, Burchman received a hopeful sign - an email from the insurance company confirming funds were on the way for repairs.

“The architect is supposed to come down this week, and from that, it becomes permits - and forward,” he said.

With support from the community and insurance money on the way, the Armory Dog and Cat Hospital is one step closer to bringing its patients and staff back home.