Matt Spillane

mspillane@lohud.com

DOBBS FERRY - Paul Golio has long supported the village that he lives and works in, and now the community is rushing to help him during his time of need.

Golio is being treated for serious injuries at Westchester Medical Center after being hit by a car on Ashford Avenue last week — a road that is notorious for speeding drivers. The 52-year-old was walking across the street at 9:24 a.m. on Thursday when a car struck him near the intersection of King Street, Dobbs Ferry police said.

Police said it is unclear how the incident occurred, and no summonses have been issued to the driver.

Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner said Golio suffered numerous broken bones, including injuries to his head and spinal cord.

"Paul is a well-loved fixture as the receptionist at Dobbs Ferry Animal Hospital and also a ventriloquist and actor," he said. "Paul is one of the nicest people you could know.”

Golio has been working at the animal hospital for nearly two decades, said Susan Ringler, the manager and wife of longtime owner and veterinarian there, Dr. Steven Ringler.

“He was the big personality at the front desk,” Susan Ringler said. “He knew everybody’s name. He knew everybody’s pets’ names. Everybody adored him.”

Golio played a “huge role” at the hospital’s front desk and helped run much of the small hospital’s day-to-day operations, Susan Ringler said. And many — both humans and pets – developed a bond with him.

“They didn’t just call here because they needed an appointment, but because they needed advice in their lives! I’m not just talking about pets. … His personality was a very larger-than-life type."

Golio's influence at the animal hospital could also be seen in online reviews about the business. On the animal hospital's Yelp page, user Nitin G. wrote: "Paul is a highlight of the practice. He is both funny and caring. My dog immediately fell in love with him and wouldn't even leave his side when it was time to go home!"

Golio was on his way to work at the hospital, located at 340 Ashford Ave., when he was struck by a car, Ringler said. He had been out sick the prior two days with the flu. She added that Ashford Avenue is “a very, very dangerous stretch of road” and “a constant danger."

A longtime animal lover, Golio has a small, white Maltese dog named Tiny Mae. While his other pets — a rat and gecko — are being cared for at the animal hospital, Ringler said that Dr. Gary Mendelsohn, a veterinarian and co-owner of the hospital, is taking care of Tiny Mae.

Golio, also a ventriloquist, named his puppet Tinsel Garland, and posted numerous videos of him and the puppet on YouTube.

A gofundme page has been set up to help cover Golio's medical expenses. As of Tuesday evening, more than 540 people donated nearly $37,000.

Friends and family have also expressed their support on Facebook. One person wrote that a prayer service for Golio will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart-Our Lady of Pompeii Church in Dobbs Ferry.

Staff writers Rich Liebson and Michael D'Onofrio contributed to this story.

Twitter: @MattSpillane