Overview:
In this week's 5 Questions, Patrick Kalenzi, author of "Tears Run Dry," discusses his childhood and what inspires his work with animals.
Patrick Kalenzi’s journey to become a successful veterinarian in Colorado is nothing short of remarkable. Born into a Rwandese Tutsi refugee family in Uganda, he survived poverty, polio, kidnapping and the violence of civil war before carving out a new life in America.
Today, Kalenzi owns multiple veterinary practices near his home in Erie, where he cares for pets with the same sense of duty he once felt for the cattle that sustained his family in Uganda. He is also an author and speaker, using his platform to inspire others to push past cultural barriers and adversity. His memoir, “Tears Run Dry,” shares the lessons of his early life and has touched readers worldwide.
In this week’s 5 Questions, Kalenzi reflects on his refugee roots, the promise he made to his grandfather and the power of education and perseverance to break cycles of poverty. His story is a reminder that, no matter where you begin, determination and compassion can carry you far.
You own several veterinary practices near your home in Erie, but your story begins way before your American dream came true. What can you tell us about your early life?
I was born into a refugee family of Rwandese Tutsis in Uganda. My parents and grandparents had already been displaced by the violence and discrimination in Rwanda, so I grew up knowing what it meant to belong everywhere and nowhere.
Poverty was our daily companion. I had polio as a child, and later, I was kidnapped during the unrest. These struggles could have broken me, but instead, they gave me a deep resilience. My early life was marked by survival, but also by a refusal to accept that my circumstances would define my future.
You were in Uganda at a time of war and unrest. How did that experience change you?
Uganda was in constant turmoil during my childhood. Guerilla soldiers roamed freely, and children like me were vulnerable to being drafted into the chaos.
One incident that shaped me forever was when a soldier forced me to give up my family’s bicycle—something we relied on to sell milk and pay school fees. That bicycle represented survival and hope, and losing it made me realize how fragile everything was. But it also sparked something in me: I knew I had to fight—not with weapons, but with education, hard work and determination—to build a different future.
What brought you to America and Colorado, and what do you hope others take from your immigrant experience?
Coming to America was driven by necessity and hope. I wanted to further my education, provide for my family, and escape the cycle of poverty and instability. Colorado became home because of the opportunities here and the strong sense of community I found.
My immigrant experience taught me that survival skills from hardship are actually transferable strengths—discipline, grit, creativity. I hope others—immigrants or not—see that your past does not have to be your prison. You can turn every challenge into a stepping stone.
When did you realize you wanted to be a veterinarian, and how gratifying is it to work with animals?
I grew up surrounded by cattle in Uganda—cows were wealth, milk was survival and cows and dogs were central to daily life. Even as a boy, I felt drawn to care for them. When I graduated my high school exams, majoring in science subjects, my grandfather asked what I was going to study that would be meaningful to our tribe and something he would understand as a layman who never went to school. So I said that would be veterinary medicine. He said, ‘That is it. Do that,’ so I did!
I pursued veterinary medicine with a clear mission: to heal, to serve and to give back. Today, every pet I treat is a reminder of that little boy walking barefoot in Uganda, dreaming of a life where he could make a difference. It’s deeply gratifying, not only because I love animals, but because I know every healed pet also strengthens the bond in a family. And I get to fulfill my grandfather’s legacy and the promise I made to him.
You are a speaker and wrote a book called ”Tears Run Dry” about your experiences. How has it been received, and do you have another book in you?
“Tears Run Dry” has been embraced beyond what I imagined. It has been featured in major outlets like NBC, Yahoo Finance and Fox News, and readers often tell me how it inspires them to keep pushing through their own struggles. Many say it’s not just my story—it’s their story too. That’s the greatest reward.
As for another book—yes. I believe there’s still so much to share, not only about my personal journey but also about the lessons I’ve learned as a father, entrepreneur, and immigrant. My life has always been about breaking cycles, and I feel compelled to keep telling stories that help others do the same.