Dawn Marcus graduated from the State University of New York at Syracuse medical school in 1986. She completed a neurology residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and is a professor at the University of Pittsburgh medical center. Dr. Marcus is a recognized international expert in chronic pain and headache, researching pain epidemiology, pathology, treatment, and women's issues. She has also authored numerous books on chronic pain and migraine, including 10 Simple Solutions to Migraine, for which she won the 2007 Excellence in Media Award from the National Headache Foundation, and The Womans' Migraine Toolkit and The Woman's Fibromyalgia Toolkit. In 2013, she was named among the Top 10 Social HealthMakers for "driving the online conversation" on migraine & headaches. She also conducts research into the benefits of the human:canine relationship, with articles published in major medical journals. She has been a consultant for Del Monte's "Power of Paws" program and is the author of numerous books promoting better human health through dog companionship, including Fit As Fido, The Power of Wagging Tails that received a 4th place Best Book of 2011 award, and Ever Faithful.