The economic downturn is affecting one Fort Worth, Texas man in a way he never could have been prepared.

Rev. Richard Herrin has a severe case of cerebral palsy.  His service dog Troy, named after former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, has been Herrin's arms and legs.  However, medical problems have forced the dog into retirement.
    
Herrin raised over $5,000 to get a new dog from an organization known as Paws with a Cause.
   
The group, however, told Herrin there was a three to five-year wait. Because of the economy, breeders have cut back their donations the organization, resulting in a shortage of service dogs.

"My heart is broken," Herrin told Dallas television station WFAA . "I didn't want the money for myself. I wanted the money to help me gain my independence back."

Herrin is working with the organization to have his money refunded, so he can begin searching for a different group to help him get a new service dog.

"I've got to take one day at a time," Herrin said.

*Originally published September 23, 2010.