FOR MANY Australians, losing a pet can be every bit as heartbreaking as losing a family member, and now a unique initiative from the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) is offering grieving pet owners a way to honour their pets while helping protect koalas.

The AKF’s ‘Plant A Tree Initiative’ has seen people from all walks of life come together to restore lost habitat via planting trees – many of these trees are now maturing into vital Koala habitat.

Locally, the AKF’s 100-acre Kenilworth property ‘Quinlans’, which was cleared in the past for cattle grazing, is slowly coming back to life via dedicated tree planting days and donations made via the plant-a-tree program.

Every tree planted is a future home to a koala.

From just $10, supporters can play a direct role in this restoration through the AKF’s programs by planting a tree in honour of a loved one, for yourself, as a meaningful gift, or in memory of a cherished pet.

For pet owners, however, the project offers something more personal — a way to channel grief into something positive.

Coolum-based clinical hypnotherapist and grief specialist Silke Herwald says society often underestimates the impact of pet loss.

“It depends very much on the individual, but for many people the grief can be just as profound as losing a human family member,” Silke said.

“Pets are so present in our lives. They’re forgiving and loving, and they live completely in the moment. Relationships with pets often don’t carry the complexities that human relationships sometimes do.”

Silke has worked with many clients who have struggled to process the death of a beloved animal companion.

“I have seen people who were much more affected by the loss of a pet than the loss of a close human family member.”

Yet despite the depth of that grief, many pet owners feel their loss is not always recognised by others.

“The most important thing is simply to acknowledge it,” Silke said.

When offering support to someone who has lost a pet, Silke encourages people not to shy away from mentioning the animal.

“Share a memory, tell a story about their pet or how it impacted you. It’s often a huge comfort to know that other people remember them too.”

Memorials can play an important role in the grieving process, helping people maintain a connection with the animals they loved.

“All sorts of memorials can be helpful, and most people who love pets also love animals generally, so dedicating a tree that helps koalas is a lovely idea.”

The AKF has long championed the slogan “No Tree, No Me”, highlighting the vital role forests play in sustaining wildlife populations.

At Quinlans, that message is becoming visible in every sapling taking root and every patch of bushland beginning to recover.

For grieving pet owners, those young trees can also represent something deeply personal — a living memorial that continues to grow long after a beloved companion is gone.

To find out more about the AKF’s plant-a-tree memorial program, please visit https://savethekoala.com/shop/products/pet-memorial-plant-a-tree/